Madagascar completed a double over the Kenya Morans with a thrilling 24-19 victory in extra time, securing the top spot in Pool B at the Africa Men’s 7s in Mauritius on Saturday.
The match was tied at the end of regular time, necessitating extra time to determine the pool winner.
Kenya Morans target
Both sides entered the match unbeaten and had already secured places in the quarterfinals, making this encounter crucial for determining the Group B standings.
Kenya aimed to avenge their 7-5 loss to Madagascar in the final group stage match the previous weekend. However, the Morans quickly found themselves trailing as the Makis broke through their defence twice, establishing a 12-0 lead.
The Morans fought back before the break when Denis Abukuse offloaded to Gabriel Ayimba, who scored a try that Abukuse converted, narrowing the deficit to 12-7.
In the second half, Amon Wamalwa capitalized on Madagascar being down to six players, scoring a centre-post try. Abukuse’s conversion gave Kenya a 14-12 lead. However, Madagascar regained the lead almost immediately after returning to full strength, scoring a centre-post try and converting it for a 19-14 advantage.
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Abukuse then scored in the left corner for Kenya, tying the score at 19-19. A missed conversion meant the game ended in a draw, pushing it into extra time.
During extra time, Kenya attacked fiercely, and after winning a penalty in a promising position, opted for a scrum. However, they conceded a half-penalty in the scrum, allowing Madagascar to counterattack swiftly, kicking deep into Kenya’s territory. A subsequent penalty for obstruction against Kenya in their own 22 gave Madagascar the opportunity they needed. The Makis ran the ball and scored a try, concluding the seven-minute extra half and securing a 24-19 victory.
Both teams now shift their focus to the cup quarterfinals set for Sunday.
AFRICA MEN’S 7S RESULTS
Zimbabwe 31-7 Mauritius
South Africa 45-7 Nigeria
Zambia 7-26 Kenya – 8:44
Madagascar 33-7 Algeria-
Burkina Faso 29-12 Ivory Coast
Uganda 36-0 Tunisia
Round Two:
Round Three:
Zambia vs Algeria – 2:12 PM
Madagascar 24-19 Kenya – 2: 44 PM
Tunisia vs Ivory Coast – 2:56 PM
Uganda vs Burkina Faso – 3:18 PM
Zimbabwe vs South Africa – 3:40 PM
Nigeria vs Mauritius – 4:02
