Rugby Africa Cup: Algeria against the Kenyan mountains
This Wednesday in Marseille and Aix en Provence, the semi-finals of the Rugby Africa Cup will be held. Algeria will face Kenya for a real test, while Namibia will do battle with Zimbabwe. For their part, Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, Uganda and Senegal will face each other in classification matches.
The Algerian XV is playing for a place in the final of the Rugby Africa Cup.
We have three finals. We won one, there are still two missing . These words from Issam Hamel reflect the enthusiasm that accompanies the Algerian team at the Rugby Africa Cup. After their successful entry into the running against Senegal in the quarter-finals (35-12), the hooker and his teammates do not intend to stop there. They caress the dream of a historic qualification in the final phase of the 2023 Rugby World Cup in the event of coronation. And for that, they are only 80 minutes away from a title match. Except that opposite, it is Kenya which this time will stand in their way. A completely different opponent than Senegal.Read on the same
subject: Rugby Africa Cup-Algeria: Johan Aliouat remobilizes the troopsFrom favorites, the Algerians go to outsiders. A status that is not necessarily to displease their coach, Ousmane Mané. ” We approach this game calmly. We will try to play a good game. It will not be easy, we are in the shoes of the outsider. I hope we can take up the challenge together. There was pressure during the match against Senegal, there the players will be more liberated. If we pass this stage, we will be in the final and it will only be a bonus, it will boost Algerian rugby , ”said the technician to La Provence .
The Algerian XV will be entitled to a sizeable opposition against Kenya. Announced among the favorites to at least reach the final, the Kenyans did not tremble in front of Uganda, sweeping the Simbas (42-7). It is full of certainty that they approach this semi-final, even if they know that the Delort stadium in Marseille will be won over to the Algerian cause. The double winners of the Rugby Africa Cup (in 2011 and 2013) will want to talk about their experience and rely on their new nuggets from rugby sevens, which could give the Algerian defense a hard time.
Zimbabwe waiting for Namibia
For its part, Namibia will try to enforce the hierarchy at the Stade Maurice David in Aix en Provence. Big favorites of this edition of the Rugby Africa Cup, the teammates of Torsten van Jaarsveld made a strong impression against Burkina Faso (71-5). And if the difference in level between the two formations was obvious, this semi-final against Zimbabwe will be the first real shock for the Namibians, who are aiming for a new crown, they who remain on six consecutive qualifications in the final phase of the World Cup. world. And to hope to play a 7th, they will however have to be wary of the Sables who dominated Côte d’Ivoire with style (38-11). Proof that after a slow period, Zimbabwean rugby seems to be coming back to the fore, thanks in particular to a new generation of players, to the.
At the end of these semi-finals, the two winners will face off for the title on Sunday 10 July. The winner of the Rugby Africa Cup will be directly qualified for the 2023 World Cup in France. He will also join Group A, along with the host country, New Zealand, Italy and Uruguay. For his part, the loser will have to go through a repechage tournament to try to win his qualification.
The Algerian XV is playing for a place in the final of the Rugby Africa Cup
The program (GMT times)
4 p.m.: Kenya – Algeria
7 p.m.: Namibia – Zimbabwe
Classification matches
1 p.m.: Uganda – Senegal
4 p.m.: Burkina Faso – Ivory Coast
By: RUTEMBESA Anicet our journalist in Rwanda
Author
Eric Barryeastafricanreport.com
