Kenya's Rugby World Cup dream alive after annihilating Uganda
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Reading Time: 2min | Tue. 08.07.25. | 18:11
With this victory, Kenya has advanced to the Rugby Africa Cup semifinals and edged closer to their maiden Rugby World Cup dream
Griffin Chao bagged a brace as the national men's rugby 15s side, Kenya Simbas, edged out arch-rivals Uganda Cranes 32-24 in a fiercely contested Rugby Africa Cup quarterfinal clash played on Tuesday, 8 July at the Nelson Mandela Stadium.
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The victory saw Jerome Paarwater's charges book a semifinal slot in the continental showpiece.
The team came into the match fresh off a month-long camp in South Africa. They carried momentum and tactical sharpness, building on their recent 48-30 aggregate victory over the Cranes in the Elgon Cup months ago.
Despite a shaky start filled with handling errors in their own 22 and territory-kicking pressure from Uganda, the Simbas settled down and took control.
In the 14th minute, captain George Nyambua broke through to set up Chao for the opening try of the game.
Timothy Omela's conversion attempt drifted wide, but it was the spark Kenya needed. Shortly after, Bethuel Anami won a crucial turnover, and from the resulting scrum, Kenya launched a textbook move, Samuel Asati to Jone Kubu to Barry Young, who sprinted past Uganda’s Adrian Kasito to touch down.
This time, the conversion was good, giving the Simbas a 12-0 cushion.
Uganda responded before halftime with Aaron Ofoyrwoth alias 'Double Black', crossing the line after sustained pressure. Philip Wokorach added the extras, narrowing the gap to 12-7 at the break.
The Simbas opened the second half with a successful penalty before a key injury saw debutant Patrick Sabatia limp off and Blak Blad's Obat Kuke introduced.
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Kuke made an instant impact by winning a turnover that helped Kenya regain their footing.
Uganda's Wokorach capitalised on a Kenyan infringement to convert a penalty, keeping the hosts within reach.
But Kenya regrouped, and a powerful run from Nyambua resulted in the Simbas' third try. With Kubu’s successful conversion, the scoreboard read 22-10.
Moments later, Sabatia won a clean lineout ball, Asati linked up quickly, and Chao darted in for his second try of the day. Kubu converted again, extending Kenya’s lead to 29-10.
Uganda, however, refused to back down. Wokorach and Kasito added two quick converted tries, suddenly reducing the deficit to just five points at 29-24 and setting up a tense final ten minutes.
But with the pressure mounting, Barry Young delivered the dagger, a smartly executed drop goal in the 77th minute gave Kenya breathing space.
Despite Asati being forced off injured and replaced by Brian Tanga, the Simbas held firm. A final clearance into touch sealed a memorable 32-24 win.
With this victory, Kenya has advanced to the Rugby Africa Cup semifinals and edged closer to their maiden Rugby World Cup dream.
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