The quality of the rugby on the field was of an unprecedented high standard, the organisation of the event was uniquely African and top-notch, while the atmosphere in this rugby-mad East African nation was simply electric.
You have to give it to Uganda for hosting this most memorable showpiece, and after this, few will begrudge the “Pearl of Africa” for being given rights to host next year’s edition of the Rugby Africa Cup, which will serve as the final qualification event for the 2027 World Cup.
Yes, of course, they were saddened that their favourite Cranes didn’t do well enough in the tournament to reach the final and have a go at the title. Yet the Ugandan rugby faithful still turned up in numbers on the last day at the Mandela National Stadium here on Sunday – in full voice as ever – to give this extraordinary tournament a befitting ending.
“African rugby is back, it really is,” Rugby Africa President Herbert Mensah told the audience in his post-match address.
“And, thanks to Uganda!”
Indeed a great debt of gratitude is owed to the Uganda Rugby Union and everybody involved for a tournament to remember.
The biggest winner of the day though was Zimbabwe, crowned the new champions of the continent after grinding out a workmanlike 29-3 win over Algeria in the final.
Zimbabwe and Algeria in the final was in fact one of the inspirational stories of the tournament, for quite a number of African rugby followers would be forgiven for having predicted a Namibia vs Kenya final.
Zimbabwe outclassed fellow Southern Africans Namibia in the semi-finals on Wednesday July 24, their first win over their great rivals in over two decades. In the other semi-final match, Algeria played some of their best rugby in years since they became a World Rugby member. They sank heavy favourites Kenya 20-12 in the other semi-final, with the boot of 38-year-old fullback Julien Serge Caminati making the difference.
On Sunday in the final, it was Zimbabwe who wanted it more. A first-half brace of tries from the 21-year-old winger Trevor Gurwe – making his run-on debut for the Sables – put Piet Benade’s men in control.
Two more tries late in the second-half by replacement hooker Liam Larkan as well as outside-centre Brandon Mudzekenyedzi had the Zimbabwean bench already kissing the trophy.
Meanwhile, Namibia – who have been dislodged as the champions by the Zimbabweans – claimed a consolation bronze after beating Kenya 38-27 a game before the final showdown.
The six-time Africans are rarely second best on the continent, but this time around they’ll have to be content with number three because freebies no longer exist in African rugby, if the level of play exhibited by all the eight teams in Uganda is anything to go by.
Before the previous finalists had clashed in the fourth-place playoff, boy oh boy, didn’t we witness a classic at Wankulukuku!
Uganda the tournament host put on quite a show with their organisational skills, so Uganda the team seemed determined to give a show of their own!
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