Burkina Faso have been relegated from the top tier after Cote d’Ivoire condemned them to a 23-10 defeat in the seventh place play-off of the Rugby Africa Cup in Kampala, Uganda on Sunday July 28.

A try by flyhalf Alexandre Pilati as well as a conversation and a penalty from the boot of fullback Ismael Nanabo had the Ivorians leading 10-5 at the break.

Hard-running Burkina Faso outside-centre Kiswendsida Jean Yves Zebango kept his team in the game by slicing through the opposition defence to finish off a backline move.

Cote d’Ivoire diminutive winger Emmanuel Houto then scored in the corner to complete a team try after the Burkinabe defence had been stretched.

Burkina Faso scrumhalf Rachid Sawadogo reduced the arrears again after showing great awareness by coming at the end of a line-break to score and set up what looked like it would be a nail-biting finish.

But it wasn’t to be as Cote d’Ivoire summoned their experience to ease home, a try by replacement Benbenjamin Maurice right at the end sealing the game as a contest.

The Rugby Africa Cup is a continental rugby unions tournament featuring the top eight countries across Africa. Participating nations include Zimbabwe, Algeria, Cote D’Ivoire, Kenya, Namibia, Senegal, Burkina Faso and host nation Uganda. All twelve matches will take place at the refurbished Mandela National Stadium and Wankulukuku Stadium in Uganda, from Saturday July 20 to Sunday July 28.

 As Uganda continues to welcome the world for the Rugby Africa Cup, tickets are available to purchase through the Rugby Africa Cup Portal, (https://rugbyafricacup.ticket.ug) and MTN Uganda mobile money service (MOMO).

All matches are available for broadcasting on NBS Sport Uganda and DSTV Channel (377). In addition matches are available for free streaming on Rugby Pass, https://rugbypass.tv/home, Rugby Africa Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/RugbyAfrique) and Rugby Africa YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/c/RugbyAfrique).

Burkina Faso Team List

1. Loose Head Prop: Zagre Moussa Fayçal
2. Hooker: Ouedraogo Abdoul Kader
3. Tight Head Prop: Tankeu Tchiwo Boris
4. Left lock: Milogo Maurice Moussa
5. Right lock: Compaore Boubacar
6. Left flanker: Bance Abdoul Nourou
7. Right flanker: Dao Omar
8. Number eight: Ouedraogo Philippe Arthur Ratalia Weekend Kuni
9. Scrum-half: Sawadogo Rachid
10. Fly-half: Deme Passi Abdoul Bassirou
11. Left wing: Sawadogo Cheick Abasse
12. Inside center: Deme Adama (C)
13. Outside center: Zebango Kiswendsida Jean Yves
14. Right wing: Yameoco Antoine Zana Claude
15. Fullback: Karembiri Aboul Gafour
16. Front Row:Ouangrawa Abdoul Kader
17. Front Row: Thiombiano Gaetan Diasibo Assane
18. Front Row: Coulibaly Agnib
19. Reserve: Yameoco Yuma Vincent
20. Reserve: Vugnat Flavien
21. Reserve:Ky Hyacinthe Essae
22. Reserve: Ouedraogo Sayouba
23. Reserve: Barro Ahmed Alassane Thierry

 

Cote d’Ivoire Team List

1. Loosehead prop: Pivert
2. Hooker: Elias Coulibaly
3. Tighthead prop: Tiède Kone
4. Left lock: Kanisso Traore
5. Right lock: Firmin Doué
6. Left flanker: Oumar Simbiri
7. Right flanker: Louizon N’zoko
8. Number eight: Welcome Bladi
9. Scrum-half: Ousmane Coulibaly
10. Fly-half: Alexandre Pilati
11. Left wing: Emmanuel Houtou
12. Inside center: Jacques Lepri
13. Outside center: Yao Ouattara
14. Right wing: Abibulaye Obameji
15. Fullback: Ismaël Nacanabo
16. Front row: François Guehi
17. Front row: Christian Sahin
18. Front row: Alpha Diallo 19.
19. Reserve: Ali Doumbia
20. Reserve: Dian Diallo
21. Reserve: Maurice Benbenjamin
22. Reserve: Amadou Traore
23. Reserve: Adama Camara

Written by Enock Muchinjo

Media Contact:

Nicole Vervelde

Communications Advisor

nicole.vervelde@rugbyafrique.com

About Rugby Africa:

Rugby Africa (www.RugbyAfrique.com) is the continental 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 39 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.