Kenya scored a record 15 tries to beat Tunisia 100-10 in their second match of Africa Gold Cup on Saturday July 8, 2017 in Nairobi.
Kenya had drawn with Uganda in their first match two weeks ago and could not avoid another slip adding 10 conversions and one penalty against Tunisia’s two unconverted tries.
Jacob Ojee, Darwin Mukidza, David Ambunya, Eric Kerre, Samson Onsomu, Joshua Chisanga, Davies Chenge, Tony Onyango, Leo Seje, Martin Owila and Steve Otieno touched down for Kenya with Mukidza, and Kerre bagging braces. Ojee registered a hat-trick.
Scrum half Houcem Khalfi and winger Ashraf Dhif touched down for the visitors.
Kenya Simbas vice-captain Darwin Mukidza sent in nine conversions and a penalty as substitute Kenny Andola sent in one conversion while Khalfi failed to convert Tunisia’s two touchdowns.
As Tunisia heads to Uganda next week, Kenya’s will be hosting Senegal in Nairobi from 2pm.
Game started with Tunisia winning a penalty but Khalfi sent his kick wide and were punished a minute later by speedster Jacob Ojee who touched down between the posts. Mukidza was sure with his boot.
Mukidza would take scores to 10-0 with a well-taken penalty and the KCB winger was at it again this time round with a five-pointer before he converted David Ambunya and Eric Kerre’s touchdowns.
Khalfi would get Tunisia back to the game with a try but that was short-lived as his opposite scrum-half Samson Onsomu bagged a try immediately after restart courtesy of Wilson Kopondo’s hard work.
Immediately after Mukidza converted Onsomu’s try, OJee stepped up to bag his second after Chisanga had broken forward to offload to Onsomu who found Tony Onyango then Ojee along the wing.
Tunisia would add their second through Dhif but Kenyans were not done yet with Chisanga giving Kenya a 46-10 lead at the break.
Chenge crossed over few seconds into second half off a maul even though Mukidza’s conversion went out but Tony Onyango ensured he was on the scoresheet adding another one in between the posts after Tunisia had knocked-on and referee played advantage.
Kenya then brought on Curtis Lilako, Philip Ikambili and Oscar Simiyu replacing Moses Amusala, Peter Karia and Dennis Karani in the entire front row while Martin Owila came on for Kopondo pushing Kerre to second row.
Ojee remained explosive along the wing setting up Leo Seje to bag his debut try moments before Dennis Muhanji and Steve Otieno came on for David Ambunya and Joshua Chisanga respectively while Samson Onsomu completed a perfect afternoon swapping with Lyle Asiligwa.
Owila would bag another try for Kenya to make it 72-10 after Mukidza’s conversion while Steve Otieno scored is first national try to push scores to 79-10.
Kerre and Mukidza completed their braces with Andola and Mukidza converting.
Ojee, who missed 2016 action with injury, would, bag his hat-trick to make Kenya win with a century score after Andola’s conversion.
Credit to Eric Njiru
