Shock as African qualifiers for 2023 Rugby World Cup are scheduled to be played in France

A shocking decision made by Rugby Afrique greeted African teams seeking to secure a spot in the 2023 Rugby World Cup after it was decided that the African qualifiers would be held in France, a European nation, and not even a country in the continent.

In a statement released on Monday, the African rugby governing body issued a statement confirming the ridiculous decision to stage Rugby Africa 2022 - the last qualifying round for Rugby World Cup – in France, despite bids from African countries including Kenya.

“Following a call for applications launched to all African member federations of World Rugby as well as to France 2023, the Rugby Africa commissions have reviewed the submissions in the light of very precise criteria to evaluate the offers and enable Rugby Africa’s Executive Committee to choose the host country of the Rugby Africa Cup 2022. Through a voting process, the candidacy of France 2023 was eventually selected,” the statement read.

For all the strict Covid-19 measures that have been put in place, going with the Kenya rugby scene as an example, the statement went on to state health concerns as the priority for selecting world cup hosts France as the venue for the African qualifiers.

”The well-being, health and safety of the players remained at the heart of the priorities. France 2023 (in charge of organising Rugby World Cup 2023) promises to host a tournament of the highest international standards, whether it is the match stadium, hotels, security measures, health standards relating to Covid-19 or medical infrastructure available,” the statement read.

A small clique of Kenyan rugby journalists were shocked with the horrifying decision to host the games out of the African continent.

“A kick in the teeth for African countries, Kenya included, who placed their bids,” wrote one.

“Soon, rugby referees will be paid in CFA Francs and keep 60% of the fees at a Credit Agricole Branch in Clermont-Ferrand. And I thought CAF was FIFA's Department of African Football,” mocked another.

The most ironical statement came from Andrew OWOR, Rugby Africa Vice-President, who went on to appraise the work that African nations had done in the Rugby Africa Cup 2021, which begged the question why Africa could not hold its own qualifiers.

“Between June 5 and July 26, 2021, Rugby Africa was able to conclude 23 international rugby matches in 5 different African countries. Despite the logistical, financial and regulatory challenges posed by the pandemic, the teams were able to travel and play their matches in complete safety. African rugby is determined to move forward,” the Ugandan executive is quoted in the statement.

Kenya Simbas to play fierce neighbours Uganda in Rugby World Cup qualifier

In Rugby Africa 2022, eight teams will be seeking to grab the single automatic qualification spot preserved for the winners of the tournament.

The knockout tournament will take place in the first half of July with four quarter-finals that were determined at the end of the Rugby Africa Cup 2021 group stages. Thus, the four group winners Namibia, Senegal, Uganda and Zimbabwe will meet respectively with Burkina Faso, Algeria, Kenya and Côte d’Ivoire. The semi-finals will follow and then the long-awaited final. Ranking matches will also be played.

The runner-up will have to make do with a place in the Final Qualification Tournament to make one final attempt to qualify for Rugby World Cup 2023.