NAIROBI, Kenya, November 13- Kenya began her Tri-Nations campaign on a losing note, falling 29-14 to Zimbabwe on Tuesday in Windhoek, Namibia.
“We had a poor first half but in the second half, we came in strongly and the amount of try scoring opportunities we wasted eventually proved costly.
“Our focus is now set on our next match against Namibia on Saturday which is a must win,” head coach Jerome Paarwatar said after the match.
Zimbabwe signalled their intent, scoring a converted try inside the first minute, winger Tengai Nemadire grounding with fly half Lenience Tambwera converting for a 7-0 lead.
The duo would account for all of Sables points throughout the match with Tambwera slotting home two penalties following a series of Kenyan infringements.
Nemadire would land Zimbabwe’s second try with seven minutes to the breather, but Tambwera weighed in with a Try and penalty as they took a 26-0 lead into the break.
Paarwater’s half time pep talk sparked life into his charges, who threatened a comeback on the second half, with forward Isaiah Nyariki, scoring his maiden test try on his full international debut as Kenny Andola converted to cut the deficit to 26-7.
Oliver Mang’eni would also score his maiden test try soon after, Andola’s conversion reducing the deficit to 26-14.
Tambwera would slot home his fourth penalty on the night as Zimbabwe held on for the 29-14 win.
Zimbabwe completed their Tr-Nations fixtures, having lost 35-26 to hosts Namibia on Friday while Kenya will play their last match against Namibia on Saturday.
