Anybody would have been forgiven for predicting a final between Namibia and Kenya in the Rugby Africa Cup, after all these sides came into this tournament in Uganda as the two strongest test teams on the continent, and were the finalists the last time the competition was staged in 2022.
It is however Zimbabwe and Algeria who will meet in pursuit of the right to be called champions of Africa on the final on Sunday, 28 July in Kampala, Uganda.
When all is said and done, however, this has been a tournament of thrills and spills.
Nobody can say both teams in the final do not deserve to be there.
In the second semi-final on Wednesday 24 of July, Zimbabwe outclassed their old rivals and the continent’s dominant nation outside South Africa – Namibia – the Sables’ 32-10 win being almost faultless.
The Zimbabweans showed that when your top players turn up at the same time, it’s hard to stop you. The explosive fullback Tapiwa Mafura, a winner of two Currie Cup titles in South Africa, oozed class throughout.
Same as the flyhalf Ian Prior, a former Australia Under-20 star, who controlled the game superbly for the Zimbabwe and displayed admirable game management. Then the likes of the centre-pairing of Kudzai Mashawi and Brandon Mudzekenyedzi were also solid.
Zimbabwe are enjoying the expertise of former Springboks assistant coach Gert Smal, a consultant for the team. They played their best rugby in years, standards they are capable of reproducing consistently.
Algeria, on the other hand, were also clinical against pre-match favourites Kenya. The North Africans were organised in all departments in their 20-12 victory – a hardworking pack of forwards and an all-rounded backline that understands its roles.
Julien Caminati, the 38-year-old fullback, stole the show with his four penalties that made the difference.
In earlier games, tournament hosts Uganda appeased their demanding home crowd with a 25-15 win over Burkina Faso in a semi-final of the play-offs, atoning for their 22-20 loss to Zimbabwe on Saturday.
Senegal dominated Ivory Coast to win 25-8 in the other match.
Uganda now need to be at their best against a tough Senegalese side for the third-and-fourth place play-off on Sunday.
