Rugby: Kenya’s Joshua Chisanga shines in South Africa

BY BS MULAVI

Kenya’s Joshua Chisanga of the Tusker Simbas stood out in their 65-29 loss to Western Province at Newlands in South Africa for the Vodacom Cup.

The burly Homeboyz RFC player proved resourceful for the Kenyans against South Africa’s Western Province who started the game in high tempo on Saturday.

Despite the Kenyans trailing, Chisanga (pictured) warded off stiff opposition from the Western Province players on a number of occasions to emerge Kenya’s man of the match.

So good was his performance that his try in the second half did not come as a surprise to many.

This was Kenya’s fourth successive loss in the tournament after five rounds of play. Head coach Jerome Parwaater will, however, be happy at the progress made by individual players like Chisanga but remain worried at the team’s results.

Little possession

At the beginning of the tournament, pundits had claimed that if Kenya were to lose all of their matches, it will weigh down heavily on the players’ confidence and may work against the expectations of the Kenya Rugby Union.

Against Western Province, Kenya had little possession and were forced to defend for long spells with players like Joseph Kang’ethe putting themselves on the line for the national team.

However, the team still conceded 11 tries against a good side  that made use of all their chances with clinical precision that saw the South Africans win 65-29.

Kenya scored four tries through Fabian Ogutu, Tony Opondo (2) and Joshua Chisanga, while fly half Kenny Andola scored three conversions and one penalty.

The four tries earned Kenya a bonus point that takes their tally to seven points, same as fifth placed Eastern Province Kings.

Kenya will play against the Sharks this weekend before  ending their campaign against  Free State.