After surrendering the Africa Rugby Confederation Cup to Zimbabwe and the annual Elgon Cup to Uganda, Kenya’s attention will be the regional Victoria Cup which kicks off on July 21, 2012.
According to the fixtures released by the Kenya Rugby Union, the first match is on July 21 when Zimbabwe, the Victoria Cup champions host Uganda.
Kenya enter the fray on July 28 against Zimbabwe who wrested the cup from Kenya’s grip. On August 4, Uganda will be at home to Zimbabwe and the Zimbabweans host Kenya on August 11, 2012.
This follows the completion of the CAR Cup Division 1A championship in Jemmel, Tunisia on Saturday where Zimbabwe narrowly beat Uganda 22-18 in the final to emerge the new champions.
Kenya edged out Tunisia 31-24 in the play-off to remain in the top tier.
Next year, Zimbabwe, Uganda and Kenya will be joined by Madagascar who upset Namibia. Tunisia has been relegated to the second tier competition.
In Jemmel, Kenya turned on the screws in the last quarter to beat Tunisia 31-24. With 10 minutes left, the teams were tied 21-21.
Loose Mwamba RFC forward who came in inspired Kenya’s comeback when a darting run saw him unload the ball to Nakuru RFC’s utility player Oscar Ouma. Kenya led 26-21 before Tunisia pulled one back through a penalty to cut off the lead to just two points.
Wilson Kopondo made sure that Kenya remained in the top tier competition by scoring the fifth try.
It was assistant captain and full back Vincent Mose who opened the scores for Kenya. He converted the his own try while Dennis Muhanji second try by Isaac Adimo. Tony Onyango, the Strathmore University left winger was next over and Muhanji was sure.
He missed to convert the try by Ouma and Kopondo. Uganda made a strong comeback in the second half but fell short of upsetting Zimbabwe in the final losing 18-22. It was an inspiring second half after trailing 0-9 at halftime.
Early in the first half, Anthony Kinene’s penalty attempt bounced off the posts as Zimbabwe led 6-0. One of the try scorers for Uganda was Scott Oluoch, a former Mwamba RFC forward who came from the sin bin to cross the line for Uganda.
Kenya 15. Vincent Mose, 14. Dennis Muhanji, 13. David Ambunya, 12. Patrice Agunda, 11. Tony Onyango, 10. Isaac Adimo, 9. Edward Achayo, 1. Joel Ng'ang'a, 2. Simon Warui, 3. Dennis Karani, 4. Wilson Kopondo, 5. Ronnie Mwenesi, 6. Duncan Ekasi, 7. Oscar Ouma, 8. Lawrence Buyachi. Replacements: 16. Curtis Lilako, 17. Moses Amusala, 18. Tony Mutai, 19. Edwin Machanje, 20. Moses Kola, 21. Eden Agero, 22. Nick Barasa. Upcoming Victoria Cup
Fixtures: Saturday 21 July 2012 Zimbabwe v Uganda Saturday 28 July 2012 Kenya v Zimbabwe Saturday 04 Aug 2012 Uganda v Zimbabwe Saturdya 11 Aug 2012 Zimbabwe v Kenya.
Eric Odanga
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