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AC 1B 2016 – This tournament boasted exciting fixtures ! Although Zambia might lack some international exposure due perhaps to a lack of competitions and infrastructure ; we knew that the shock between Madagascar and Senegal would be a titanic one. The match delivered indeed far above expectations !
The final of the pool A was nailbiting ! Both teams fought hard and spent the match neck to neck until the Senegalese took the lead in the last minutes. Nevertheless the Makis’ supporters came in number and cheered for their team all along. On Sunday, June 19th, 25000 spectators were jam-packed in the stadium ; bringing the total tournament attendance to over 55000. No doubt, Madagascar won’t lose its reputation of big rugby nation.
The Lions and Makis thus electrified the crowd, under the watchful eye of the south-african referee Lourens van der Merwe, refereeing for the third time already in Madagascar. After 80 intense minutes, Senegal finally won the match by 30 points to 24, depriving the Malagasies of any chance to go back in group A.
However all is not done yet for the Senegalese who will have to meet the winner of the pool B in November. Indeed, judging the previous format somewhat unfair, Rugby Africa decided on a new format for the Africa Cup 1B 2016. This year the 6 teams were separated in 2 pools of 3 based on their ranking ; in the pool A : Zambia, Madagascar and Senegal, in the pool B : Tunisia, Botswana and Ivory Coast. The tournament for the pool B will take place from June 26th to July 2nd in Monastir (Tunisia).
Reminder for the AC pool A :
June 12th : Madagascar 24 – 15 Zambia
June 15th : Zambia 3 – 54 Senegal
June 19th : Madagascar 24 – 30 Senegal
Ranking :
- SENEGAL = 9 points
- MADAGASCAR = 5 points
- ZAMBIA = 0 points
Photo credit : Senegal Rugby
