RUGBY TEST MATCHES; World Cup Qualifying CAR Africa Cup Division 1A

All matches played in Jammal, Tunisia

14.07.2012
Zimbabwe v Uganda (Final)
Tunisia v Kenya (Relegation)

Briefly
I have other commitments this weekend so I cannot preview these games fully.

Zimbabwe v Uganda is for the Africa Cup. The winner is the African Champion (outside South Africa of course). Non of the teams will be relegated out of World Cup 2015 contentions. The loser of the Tunisia-Kenya game will be relegated to CAR Division 1B for 2013 (being replaced by Madagascar) but will have the opportunity to gain promotion to Division 1A for 2014.

Predictions:
Zimbabwe by 10 v Uganda
Tunisia by 5 v Kenya

TEST RUGBY IN AFRICA: World Cup Qualifying CAR Africa Cup Division 1A Semi-Finals

10.07.2012
Uganda 20, Kenya 19 in Jammal
Zimbabwe 30, Tunisia 14 in Jammal

Briefly
Uganda and Kenya upset the form books by winning their way to the Africa Cup final.

Zimbabwe upset the hosts Tunisia to win 30-14, setting up a Uganda-Zimbabwe final for the African Cup, to be played Saturday

Zimbabwe were too good for Tunisia and now play Uganda in the Cup Final.

Thanks to www.confederation-africaine-rugby.com

CAR Africa Cup and World Cup qualifying Saturdays Test Rugby

Uganda v Zimbabwe
Tunisia v Kenya

AFRICAN TEST RUGBY: World Cup Qualifying CAR Division 1A Semi-Finals in Tunisia

10.07.2011
Tunisia v Zimbabwe
Kenya v Uganda

Preview
The Africa Cup is up for grabs in this the top division of African rugby. This tournament has a big act to follow after the dramas in Division 1B in Madagascar.

There is really only a losing team in this tournament. It won’t be the end of the 2015 Rugby World Cup road for the losing team. They will have a chance to win Division B and gain promotion to this division for 2015. It will be in that year that the second automatic qualifier will be found. The second team will have a chance to get into the finals via a repechage challenge.

Tunisia v Zimbabwe
04.04.1998 Zimbabwe 43-9 in Bulawayo (WCQ Africa Rnd C)
12.05.1990 Zimbabwe 24-13 in Harare (WCQ Africa)

GWC Rugby Rankings
Africa Table-Tunisia 4th, Zimbabwe 5th

IRB Ranking Points
Zimbabwe 52.40, Tunisia 51.34

Prediction: Zimbabwe by 3 points

Teams

Zimbabwe Squad

Forwards
Denford Mutamangira, Pieter Joubert, Jakov Jakov, Kuda Kambasha, Tinashe Bopoto, Alfred Sarai, Costa Dinha, Jan Ferreira, Fortune Chipendu, Takunda Chifokoyo, Norman Mukondiwa, Shingi Mpofu, Jacques Leitao, Prayer Chitenderu, Tatenda Karuru, Brian Makamure

Backs
Charles Jiji, Scotty Jones, Tichafara Makwanya, Lenience Tambwera, Daniel Hondo, Cleopas Makotose, Tangai Nemadire, Danny Robertson, Kuda Chiwanza, Gavin Nyawata, Raymond de Jong, Josh Rowe, Samson Makuku, Wes Mbanje

http://www.newsday.co.zw/article/2012-0 ... les-squad/

Tunisia Squad not available

Kenya v Uganda
28.04.2012 Kenya 12-0 in Nairobi (Victoria Cup; Elgon Cup)
21.04.2012 Uganda 19-5 in Kampala (Victoria Cup; Elgon Cup)
16.07.2011 Uganda 32-18 in Kampala (Victoria Cup; Elgon Cup)
09.07.2011 Kenya 27-10 in Nairobi (Victoria Cup; Elgon Cup)
10.07.2010 Kenya 21-5 in Nairobi (Victoria Cup; Elgon Cup)

These two teams have met a number of times over the last two years. Uganda won the Elgon Cup this year on aggregate. These two teams win their games on home soil but lose away. How they will fare on a neutral venue will be interesting.

GWC Rugby Rankings
Africa Table-Kenya 2nd, Uganda 3rd

IRB Ranking Points
Kenya 50.13, Uganda 48.06

Prediction: Kenya by 5 points

Teams

Uganda Squad

Forwards
Ronald Adigasi (Entebbe Sadolin Mongers), Brian Odong (UTL Kobs), Oscar Echulu (UTL Kobs), *Asuman Mugerwa (MTN Heathens), Alex Mubiru (MTN Heathens - Assistant Captain), Solomon Mawanda (G4S Pirates), Romano Ogwal (MTN Heathens), Timothy Dumba (G4S Pirates), Scott Oluoch (MTN Heathens), Steven Ogwete (UTL Kobs), Mathias Ochwo (MTN Heathens - Captain), Joel Anguyo (G4S Pirates), Andrew Olweny (Entebbe Sadolin Mongers), Marvin Odong (G4S Pirates)

Backs
Anthony Kinene (G4S Pirates), Edmond Tumusiime (UTL Kobs), Ambrose Kamanyire (UTL Kobs), Oscar Kalyango (UTL Kobs), Paul Kabazzi (G4S Pirates), Michael Wokorach (MTN Heathens), Felix Lubega (G4S Pirates), Bishop Onen (MTN Heathens), Justin Kimono (UTL Kobs), Benon Kizza (MTN Heathens)

*uncapped

Team Management
Coaches: Yayiro Kasasa, Peter Magona, Fred Mudoola and Herbert Wafula.
Team Manager: Brian Tabaruka

Kenya Squad

Joel Nganga (Rhinos/Captain), Moses Amusala (Lions), Dennis Karani (Rhinos), Curtis Lilako (Lions), Sammy Warui , Duncan Mwangi, Wilson Kopondo(Rhinos), Ronnie Mwenesi (Cheetahs), Tony Mutai (Rhinos), Duncan Ekasi (Cheetahs), Oscar Ouma (Nakuru), Charles Omondi (Sharks), Lawi Buyachi (Cheetahs), Edwin Machanje (Lions), Moses Kola (Cheetahs), Edwin Achayo , Eden Agero (Rhinos), Isaac Adimo (Sharks), Nick Barasa(Rhinos), Patrice Agunda (Quins), David Ambunya (University of Cape Town), Vincent Mose (Cheetahs), Tony Onyango (Sharks), Dennis Muhanji (Rhinos)

Coach: Michael Otieno, Assistant Coach: Charles Ngovi, Team Manager: Wangila Simiyu, Physio: Chris Makachia

TEST RUGBY AHEAD: Africa Cup

The focus of world international test rugby zeros in on Africa. Probably the continent with the most potential for rugby expansion, African rugby is fraught with problems.

Travel is difficult, expensive and in some places non-existent. For a continent where most people live in poverty the cost of travel severely hampers international test rugby. Each rugby union has to find some of that money when their national test rugby side is required to travel to a tournament.

Miss management of funds within the unions can be a problem. In recent years the Namibian RU has come under fire from the IRB. Internal civil strife has created problems in Libya and Ivory Coast. Rugby at all levels came to a standstill in both those nations in 2011. For both Namibia and Ivory Coast the resulting absence from African rugby tournaments led to relegation from their respective divisions.

This month African rugby is on international display.The top level of African test rugby is divided into three divisions, 1A, 1B and 1C. There is promotion-relegation between each division.

Division 1A. July 8-14 Host Tunisia. Also-Kenya, Zimbabwe and Uganda

Semi-Finals 10 July
Kenya v Uganda
Tunisia v Zimbabwe

Final and 3rd Place 14 July
The winner holds the Africa Cup for 2012. The loser of playoff 3rd-4th is relegated to CAR Division 1B for 2013.
All matches at Jemmal

Division 1B. July 4-8. Host Madagascar. Also Namibia, Morocco and Senegal.

Semi-Finals 4 July
Madagascar v Morocco
Namibia v Senegal

Final and 3rd Place 8 July
Loser 1 v Loser 2 (Loser eliminated from 2015 RWC)
Winner 1 v Winner 2 (Winner promoted to 2013 Africa Cup)

Division 1C.July 22-28. Host Botswana

Fixtures
22 July 2012: Cameroun v Zambia; Botswana v Ivory Coast; Mauritius v Nigeria
25 July 2012: Ivory Coast v Mauritius; Zambia v Botswana; Nigeria v Cameroun
28 July 2012: Cameroun v Ivory Coast; Mauritius v Zambia; Botswana v Nigeria.