In-form Zimbabwe Grind Out Workmanlike Win Over Algeria

Zimbabwe – the form team of the tournament – executed their game plan admirably. The Sables managed to neutralise the Algerian threat in the first half before unleashing their expansive game after the break to kill it off as a contest.

The first-half belonged to Zimbabwe’s 21-year-old winger and double-scorer Trevor Gurwe, who was making his run-on debut for his country.

For the first try, fullback Takudzwa Musingwini delightfully offloaded to Gurwe, who dashed clear for the try-line but instead of simply placing, he rather needlessly dummied two defenders as the Sables fans feared the worse – him dropping the ball. Thankfully he didn’t.

Good work by Zimbabwe captain and scrumhalf Hilton Mudariki on the blind side released Gwashu to complete his brace in the first half.

Zimbabwe led 12-3 at half-time, with Algeria getting onto the scoreboard courtesy of their star man, the fullback Julien Serge Caminati.

But the normally reliable 38-year Caminati, one of the best players of the tournaments, didn’t bring his kicking boots for the final and missed four penalties in the match.

After a rather uninspiring beginning to the second-half, Zimbabwe let loose towards the end.

Substitute hooker Liam Larkan came at the end of a powerful driving maul to score Zimbabwe’s third of four tries. Outside-centre Brandon Mudzekenyedzi then sprinted over to finish off a lovely back-line move initiated by the 20-year-old wing Edward Sigauke, to assure the Zimbabweans of the title.

Zimbabwe’s Piet Benade was named coach-of-the-tournament with the Sables’ dazzling back Tapiwa Mafura receiving the player-of-the-tournament award.

This concludes the Rugby Africa Cup, a continental rugby unions tournament featuring the top eight countries across Africa. Participating nations include Zimbabwe, Algeria, Cote D’Ivoire, Kenya, Namibia, Senegal, Burkina Faso and host nation Uganda. All twelve matches will take place at the refurbished Mandela National Stadium and Wankulukuku Stadium in Uganda, from Saturday July 20 to Sunday July 28.

All matches are available for broadcasting on NBS Sport Uganda and DSTV Channel (377). In addition matches are available for free streaming on Rugby Pass, https://rugbypass.tv/home, Rugby Africa Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/RugbyAfrique) and Rugby Africa YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/c/RugbyAfrique).

Algeria Team List

1. Loosehead Prop: Mohammed Reda Benlebbad
2. Hooker: Adam Moulahya
3. Tighthead Prop: Yassin Boutemmani
4. Left Lock: Mehdi Ferhat Slamani
5. Right Lock: Mohamed Yakine Djebbari
6. Left Flanker: Enzo Zaitri
7. Right Flanker: Adrien Pierre Roger Vert
8. Number Eight: Marvyn Emmanuel Regis Youcef (C)
9. Scrum-half: Dylan Mariano Barajas
10. Fly-half: Enzo Kralfa
11. Left Wing: Nadir Megdoud
12. Inside Center: Alexis Thierry Ludovic Renou
13. Outside Center: Fares Leulmi Pierre Boulkenafet
14. Right Wing: Rayan Ouadah
15. Fullback: Julien Serge Caminati
16. Front Row: Joseph Jean-Marc Reynaud 17.
17. Front Row: Jawad Iqbal Atia 18.
18. Front Row: Bekada Youcef Bilel Belhaouari
19. Reserve: Mohamed Abdel Hamid Makri
20. Reserve: Aïtham Aloïs Meksoud
21. Reserve: Elyes Amedjkouh
22. Reserve: Samir Yacine Kharbouch
23. Reserve: Gabriel Georges Mohamed Belhadj

Zimbabwe Team List

1. Loosehead Prop: Victor Mupunga
2. Hooker: Simba Mandioma
3. Tighthead Prop: Bornwell Gwinji
4. Left Lock: Kudakwashe Nyakufaringwa
5. Right Lock: Simba Siraha
6. Left Flanker: Dylan Utete
7. Right Flanker: Godfrey Muzanargwo
8. Number Eight: Aiden Burnett
9. Scrum-half: Hilton Mudariki (C)
10. Fly-half: Tapiwa Mafura
11. Left Wing: Edward Sigauke
12. Inside Center: Kudzai Mashawi
13. Outside Center: Brandon Mudzekenyedzi
14. Right Wing: Trevor Gurwe
15. Fullback: Takudzwa Musingwini
16. Front Row: Zvikomborero Chimoto
17. Front Row: Liam Larkan
18. Front Row: Brian Makamure
19. Reserve: David Makamba
20. Reserve: Tadiwa Gwashu
21. Reserve: Keegan Joubert
22. Reserve: Dion Khumalo
23. Reserve: Darrel Makwasha