Botswana Handed Heavy Defeat by Morocco on Return to Continental Rugby
CASABLANCA, Morocco– Today, Botswana have made a far from ideal return to international rugby after hosts Morocco handed them a heavy 64-0 defeat in the opening match of the 2024 Rugby Africa Cup Repechage B Tournament in Casablanca, Morocco.
The try-fest at the Club Olympique Casablancais – in which Morocco crossed over 11 times – was largely due to a dominant display by the Atlas Lions’ forwards pack. The big men upfront laid solid groundwork, allowing the hard-running backs to exploit gaps for the big win.
It was a brutal reality check for the men from Southern Africa, who hadn’t experienced the rigours of Tests rugby in six years.
Botswana, nicknamed the Vultures, last took part in Rugby Africa’s competitions back in 2018.
Morocco and Botswana are in Pool B of this play-off contest alongside Madagascar and Cameroon, forming part of qualifiers for the 2025 Rugby Africa in Ugandan capital Kampala.
The 2024 Rugby Africa Repechage Pool B Tournament takes place in Casablanca, Morocco from Wednesday November 20 and Sunday November 24 at Club Olympique Casablancais (COS). The tournament is accessible to the public with free admission.
Organized by Rugby Africa (www.rugbyafrique.com), the continental governing body of Rugby across Africa, in partnership with the Royal Moroccan Rugby Federation (FRMR), participating nations include host nation Morocco, Madagascar, Cameroon and Botswana.
Match Day 1: Wednesday 20 November 2024 (Local Morocco Time) (CET)
Game 1: Morocco vs Botswana (13:00)
Game 2: Madagascar vs Cameroon (15:30)
Match Day 2: Sunday 24 November 2024 (Local Morocco Time) (CET)
Play-offs: TBD vs TBD(10:00)
Final: TBD vs TBD(13:00)
Written by Enock Muchinjo
Media Contact:
Nicole Vervelde
Communications Advisor
nicole.vervelde@rugbyafrique.com
About Rugby Africa:
Rugby Africa (www.RugbyAfrique.com) is the governing body of rugby in Africa and one of the regional associations under World Rugby. It unites all African countries that play rugby union, rugby sevens, and women’s rugby. Rugby Africa organizes various competitions, including the qualifying tournaments for the Rugby World Cup and the Africa Sevens, a qualifying competition for the Olympic Games. With 40 member unions, Rugby Africa is dedicated to promoting and developing rugby across the continent. World Rugby highlighted Ghana, Nigeria and Zambia as three of the six emerging nations experiencing strong growth in rugby.
