Test Rugby: Africa Tournament Begins

This tournament is for the rugby nations who were eliminated in the 2008 Rugby World Cup qualifying matches for Africa. So it would come as suprise for some to read the names of the likes of Morocco and Kenya. In the past those teams have figured prominantly in the World Cup qualifying rounds. But in 2008 they were both quickly eliminated.

This tournament has a rather quick conclusion in its makeup, unlike other African tournaments that are about to kick off elsewhere on the continent. Which is rather a shame as those nations involved only get to play two test matches in 2009.

08.07.2009
Kenya v Senegal in Casablanca (CAR Trophy, North; 1st Semi-final)

Preview
Senegal has selected a very strong France-based squad, unlike previous teams. A Local Senegalese XV defeated Mali 22-3 in a warm up match on 27 June. These two teams have not met before.

GWC Rugby Rankings: Africa Table-Kenya 4th, Senegal 11th

Prediction: Senegal by 8 points

Teams

Kenya Squad
Dennis Abenga (Nakuru RFC)
Leon Adongo (Kenya Harlequin FC)
Patrice Agunda (Kenya Harlequin FC)
Edwin Alubaka (Kenya Commercial Bank RFC)
Andrew Amonde (Kenya Commercial Bank RFC)
Michael Aung (Nondescripts RFC)
Naftali Bondo (Kenya Harlequin FC)
Lawrence Buyachi (Nakuru RFC)
Gray Cullen (Nondescripts RFC)
Charles Kanyi (Nondescripts RFC)
Daniel Kiptoo (Kenya Harlequin FC)
Wilson Kopondo (Mean Machine RFC)
Vincent Mose (Impala RFC)
Joel Nganga (Kenya Harlequin FC)
Benedict Nyambu (Nondescript RFC)
Peter Kepha Odera (Strathmore University RFC)
Victor Oduor (Kenya Harlequin FC)
Anthony Ogot (Kenya Commercial Bank RFC)
Paul Oimbo (Impala RFC)
Kelvin Omiyo (Nakuru RFC)
Vincent Ongera (Kenya Harlequin FC)
Innocent Simiyu, Capt. (Impala RFC)
Linus Simiyu (Impala RFC)
Gibson Weru (Nakuru RFC)
Head Coach: Michael Otieno

Adapted from http://rugbykenya.blogspot.com/ and thanks to ‘Quentin’ at http://www.fira-aer-rugby.com/forum2007/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=3116&start=45

Senegal Squad
Front Row
Mamadou Diallo (Suresnes, France)
Antoine Laporte (Castres, France)
Carlos Mendy (Chateauneuf-Orange, France)
Ousmane Ndiaye (Oyonnax, France)
Ciré Sam (Oyonnax, France)
Mamadou Sy (Grasse, France)

Second Row
Magnamé Koïta (Vienne, France)
Mamadou Koïta (Grenoble, France)
Lamine Ndiaye (Suresnes, France)

Loose Forwards
Abdoulaye Ba (Maisons-Laffite, France)
Aliou Bodiang (Gourdon, France)
Ousmane Mané (Drancy, France)
Preira Charles Ndiaye (Niort, France)
Mouhamed Samba (Brive, France)

Half Backs
Moussa Magassa (Drancy, France)
Demba Kane (Bobigny, France)
Khalifa Niang (Nice, France)
Steeve Sargos (Romans, France)

Three Quarters
Mamadou Diarra (Pau, France)
Ousmane Diarra (Viry-Châtillon, France)
Moussa Koïta-Gros (Saint-Nazaire, France)
José Rui Mendy (Caïmans, Dakar)
Victor-Biram Samb (Léon, France)
Isamsi Touré (Boucau-Tarnos, France).

Adapted from http://www.senegal-rugby.com/L-equipe-n ... _a116.html, and thanks to ‘Quentin’ at http://www.fira-aer-rugby.com/forum2007/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=3116&start=45

8.07.2009
Morocco v Cameroun in Casablanca (CAR Trophy, North; 2nd Semi-final)

Preview
Home team Morocco would be favoured to take this game and win the tournament. Most likely the home side will consist mostly of Moroccains from France-based clubs.

Previous Encounters
26.05.2007 Morocco 20-6 in Casablanca (CAR Africa Cup, Div.1, North A)
29.05.2004 Morocco 18-6 in Yaounde (CAR Div.1, Pool A (North)

GWC Rugby Rankings: Africa Table-Morocco 8th, Cameroun 12th

Prediction: Morocco by 28 points.

Teams as yet unavailable