Namibia whips Zimbabwe as Wokorach lifts Uganda past Tunisia in Africa Gold Cup

Namibia’s push for a direct world Cup ticket received a major boost after they thrashed Zimbabwe 58-28 in a match played at Hartsfield in Zimbabwe on Saturday evening.

The opening 15 minutes were tied and the two side were level on a scoreline of 7-7. The visitors Namibia would later breakaway with a penalty and a converted try that send them to a 17-7 lead.

A converted try from Greyling JC and a penalty kick sent the scores to 27-7 in favour  Namibia and the side would head to the break with a 20 point advantage.

From the halftime break, Prop Conradie Wian touched down and his try was converted for a 34-7 lead. Zimbabwe responded with a converted try that cut the gap back to 20 points. Namibia would land unconverted try while Zimbabwe responded with a converted try that saw the gap reduce to 18 points.

The exchange continued in the final 10 minutes as Namibia went over for a converted try and the Sables scored at the other end for a 46-28 score.

Substitute Van der Westhuizen and Johan Tromp tries ensured a 58-28 win for the Namibians.

Zimbabwe: 1.Denford Mutamangira 2.David Makanda 3.Farai Mudariki 4.Brian Nyaude 5.Fortunate Chipendu 6.Takudzwa Mandiwanza 7.Connor Pritchard 8.Tapfuma Parirenyatwa 9.Hilton Mudariki 10.Brandon Mandivenga 11.Tafadzwa Chitokwindo 12.Tafadzwa Mhende 13.Kudzai Mashawi 14.Shayne Makombe 15.Shingirayi Katsvere

Replacements: 16.Mathew Mandioma 17.Irvine Nduwa 18.Lawrence Cleminson 19.Antipas Kamkwindo 20.Lucky Sithole 21.Ernest Mudzengere 22.Lenience Tambwera 23.Matthew McNab

Namibia:1.Botha,Chrysander 2.Coetzee,Johannes 3. Conradie,Wian 4. De Klerk, AJ 5.DeHarpe,Darryl 6.Deysel,Johan(Captain) 7.Greyling,JC8.Jantjies,Eugene 9.Katjijeko,Max 10.Kitshoff,Rohan 11.Klim,Lesley 12.Loubser,Cliven 13.Newman,Justin  14.Sethie,Desiderius 15.Steenkamp,PW 16.Stevens,Damian 17.Theron,Nelius 18.Tjeriko,Mahepisa 19.Tromp,Johan 20. Uanivi,Tjiuee 21. Van der Westhuizen,Louis 22. Van Jaarsveld,Torsten 23. Van Lill,Pieter-Jan 24. Venter,Janco   25. Viviers,Caspe

In Uganda, Kabras fullback Philip Wokorach bagged four tries as Uganda Cranes hit Tunisia 67-12 in an Africa Gold Cup match staged in Kampala on Saturday afternoon.

The visitors took an early lead in the game but failed to take advantage after Uganda were reduced to 14 men following a sin-bin.

Uganda responded with a penalty that cut the deficit to two points and would lead  after Tunisia were reduced to 14 men following a yellow card.

Fly Half Robert Masendi scored the opening try and took the scores to 11-5 after being set up by Pius Ogena and a conversion by Wokorach earned the Cranes a 13-5 lead.

Michael Okorach’s try send the scores 18-5 while Wokorach’s try and conversion ensured a 25-5 lead at the break.

From the break, a powerful run from Skipper Asuman Mugerwa who plays for Kenya Cup side Kabras saw the side lead 30-5 and the extras took them to 32-5.

Wokorach added three more tries and send the scores to 53-12 while Solom Okia tries towards the end of the game ensured a 67-12 win. Wokorach was named the man of the match.

This marks Uganda’s first Gold Cup win after having lost to Namibia and Kenya in the opening two matches.