Uganda Wins Africa Rugby Sevens,the 3 time African Champions qualify for World Cup

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y qualifying for the Cup final during the 2022 Rugby Africa Men’s Sevens, Uganda and Zimbabwe have booked their tickets to the Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022 in Cape Town, South Africa.

It was a Southern African affair as Zimbabwe beat Zambia, 26-17, in the first semifinal.

Shingi Katsvere

In the second semifinal, Uganda outmuscled Kenya, 22-12, in what was an exciting East African derby.

The latter started on the backfoot as muscleman Alvin “Buffa” Otieno was sent to the bin for a high tackle. Then the former got the scoreboard ticking through Philip Wokorach and Adrian Kasito to lead 12-00 at the break. Then the onslaught continued as Wokorach and Aaron touched down in the second half.

Kenya finally got a breakthrough courtesy of youngster Harmony Wamalwa and captain Nelson Oyoo. But it was too little too late for the defending champions as Uganda sailed through to the final.

In addition to the Rugby World Cup Sevens, Uganda have qualified for the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham in July.

Zambia and Kenya will contest for the final slot for an African nation at the Rugby World Cup Sevens during the bronze medal match.

•Kenya had begun the tournament with a 19-0 win over Senegal, a 24-19 win over Zimbabwe and a 33-7 victory against Namibia.

•However, Shujaa lost 12-7 to Madagascar on Sunday in treacherous conditions following a heavy downpour.

Shujaa have relinquished the Africa Cup Sevens title after losing 22-17 to Uganda in Kampala on Sunday.

Innocent Simiyu’s charges, however, bounced back to beat Zambia 19-12 to qualify for the Rugby World Cup Sevens in South Africa in September, alongside Uganda and Zimbabwe.

Shujaa were on the back foot from the onset against Uganda, who were fired up by a partisan crowd at Kyadondo Rugby Club.

Phillip Wokorach opened the scoring with a well-taken try. The former Kabras star tormented the Kenyan defence and scored his second minutes later, which he duly converted for a 12-0 lead.

Adrian Kasito then crossed the whitewash to extend the lead to 17-0 at the interval.

On resumption, the Ugandans dominated territory and scored their fourth try through Aaron Ofoyrwoth for a 22-0 lead. Shujaa scored two consolation tries through Alvin Otieno and Nelson Oyoo with Tony Omondi converting but it was too little too late.

Kenya had begun the tournament with a 19-0 win over Senegal, a 24-19 win over Zimbabwe and a 33-7 victory against Namibia. However, Shujaa lost 12-7 to Madagascar on Sunday in treacherous conditions following a heavy downpour.