Kenya labour to beat Tunisia

By BS Mulavi

The Kenya National fifteens rugby team retained their slot in the continent’s top tier competition with a hard fought 31-24 victory over hosts Tunisia in the Confederation of African Rugby trophy.

Kenya relinquished their African championship title when they lost to Uganda on Tuesday.

However, they have now claimed third spot in the continent and secured a chance to make it to the 2015 Rugby World Cup in England. Zimbabwe, 30-14 winners over Tunisia in the semis on Tuesday, claimed the African title with a 22-19 win over Uganda.

Earlier this month, Madascascar defeated Rugby World Cup 2011 participants Namibia in front of more than 40,000 fans to claim the Africa Cup Division 1B title to book a chance to play with the big boys for a slot in Rugby World Cup 2015 in England.

Madagascar will replace Tunisia in Division 1A next year. The winner of this Division in 2014 will qualify for Rugby World Cup 2015.

The runner-up from Division 1A in 2014 competition will have a second chance of making it to Rugby World Cup via the 2015 Repechage process. With South Africa, automatic qualifiers through their position at New Zealand 2011, Africa could have three representatives at the 2015 Rugby World Cup.