Kenya Simba’s Martin Owila with teammates during training. PHOTO/Raymond Makhaya
NAIROBI, Kenya, Jul 29 – Namibia outclassed the Kenya 15s team to successfully defend the Africa Gold Cup with a 45-7 victory in a match played at the Hage Geingob Stadium in Windhoek on Saturday.
Kenya finished second in the six nations standings with 16 points after Zimbabwe were shocked 23-31 at home by Tunisia.
Entering the clash as favourites, Namibia took charge of the first half crowning it with two converted tries that enabled them lead 14-0 at the interval.
Namibia took the lead after 10 minutes of play before doubling the scores on the half hour mark
The defending champions were clinical at the breakdown as they pinned Kenya on their half for the better part of the match.
However, Kenya managed to break the solid defence to pitch camp on the Namibian half forcing them to commit errors that granted the Simbas three line-outs. Damage could be done further when a Namibian player was sent to the sin-bin after turning over illegally.
Kenya could not maximize on the advantage despite spraying the passes wide as Namibia extremely did well to hold on the 14-0 lead.
Moses Amusala scored the only try for Kenya with Darwin Mukidza adding the extras.
David Philander opened the scoring for Namibia with Cliven Loubser adding the extras before he did so to Chrysander Botha’s try for a 14-0 half time lead.
Loubser added Namibia’s third but the conversion went out. C Greyling made it 26-0 for Namibia before Moses Amusala crossed over for the visitors.
Philander would add his second while tries from Casper Viviers and Lesley Klim made it 43-7 making it hard for Kenya to make any comeback.
-Additional reporting from Raga House–
