Heartbreak for Simbas as last-minute collapse to Zimbabwe leaves dent on World Cup chances
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Reading Time: 3min | Sun. 13.07.25. | 18:32
The Sables will now face Namibia in the Rugby Africa Cup final, while Kenya are left to pursue their World Cup ambitions via the repechage route
Kenya Simbas’ dream of inching closer to the 2027 Rugby World Cup was dealt a heavy blow after a dramatic 29-23 loss to defending champions Zimbabwe Sables in a Rugby Africa Cup semifinal clash held on Sunday, 13 July at the Nelson Mandela Stadium in Kampala, Uganda.
In what was a tightly contested East versus South affair, Simbas thought they had done just enough to keep the match within their grasp.
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However, a costly lapse in the final quarter characterized by handling errors and poor decision-making saw them relinquish the lead and their World Cup qualification hopes.
Brandon Mudzekenyedzi stunned the Simbas early on when he sliced through a disorganized Kenyan backline to score the game’s opening try barely three minutes into the game.
The conversion was missed, but Zimbabwe had made their statement.
Kenya responded with purpose, dominating possession and territory.
After opting against taking three easy points from a penalty, they went for a lineout instead.
The gamble paid off, and from a well-executed maul, the Simbas got their first try although Jone Kubu missed the conversion, leveling the scores at 5-5.
The Sables nearly bagged another try through a brilliant lineout move involving Matthew McNab, but it resulted in only a penalty.
Ian Prior made no mistake from the tee, edging Zimbabwe ahead.
Simbas’ woes deepened when Griffin Chao was sin-binned in the 15th minute for a dangerous tackle on McNab.
But despite being a man down, Kenya stayed composed and forced an infringement, with Kubu slotting in a penalty to level matters at 8-8.
Hilton Mudariki restored Zimbabwe’s advantage with a smart try, though Prior's conversion again went wide.
Kenya remained within reach and responded with another penalty, courtesy of Kubu, to make it 13-11.
Chao, back from the bin, made amends with a crucial interception in the dying minutes of the first half.
He dashed clear to score, with Kubu adding the extras to send Simbas to the break with an 18-13 lead.
Kenya returned for the second half with energy and intent, with their body language exuding confidence.
But Zimbabwe tightened their grip, pinning the Simbas in their own half.
Dylan Utete's try and Prior's successful conversion swung the momentum back to the Sables, who now led 20-18.
Prior continued to torment the Simbas with his boot, adding a well-taken drop goal to extend the lead to five points.
The Simbas' errors proved costly. A promising break was nullified by a handling error from Derrick Ashiundu, and a scrum infringement was punished by another Prior penalty, stretching the score to 26-18.
Kenya refused to fold. With just minutes left, they surged forward with urgency.
But Prior’s final penalty from a long-range effort snuffed out their hopes, making it 29-18.
Kenya managed a late try in stoppage time, but time ran out before they could mount a comeback.
The Sables will now face Namibia in the Rugby Africa Cup final, while Kenya are left to pursue their World Cup ambitions via the repechage route.
