Eugene Sifuna and Beldad Ogeta bagged a brace each as Kenya Simbas defeated Senegal 36-17 at Nelson Mandela Stadium, Namboole, in Uganda.
The teams faced off for the first time since the Simbas’ shocking 20-19 loss at Nyayo Stadium in the 2021 Rugby Africa Cup.
Kenya Simbas first try
Eugene Sifuna landed the opening try for the Simbas off a maul, with Timothy Okwemba, returning from a long-term injury, adding the extras for a 7-0 lead.
Kenya Simbas huddle before a past training session. PHOTO/Uganda Rugby Union
Sifuna doubled the lead for Kenya with another try, barging over after several drives in Senegal’s zone. Despite an easy angle, Okwemba missed the conversion, leaving Kenya with a 12-0 lead. Senegal later pulled back with a penalty.
Senegal was punished when a clearance landed in Beldad Ogeta’s hands, launching a counterattack with his power, allowing him to leave three markers behind for a centre-post try.
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The Senegalese earned a penalty try, and Kenya conceded a yellow card just before the break, trimming the gap to 19-10.
After the break, Okwemba missed a penalty attempt in the first minute of the half. The Simbas made amends when center Bryceson Agesa, who made his debut in 2021, forced his way over for a try, extending the lead to 26-10 after Okwemba’s conversion.
The Simbas conceded several penalties, allowing the Senegalese to score off a scrum shove, with Lamine Sylla picking the ball and touching down before the try was converted for a 26-17 scoreline.
Kenya Simbas. Photo Courtesy/KRU
The Senegalese continued to push for a try, but it was the Simbas who had the last laugh, landing the final try of the match through Ogeta for a 36-17 win.
The Simbas will be back in action for the semifinals on Wednesday.
In the opening quarterfinal, defending champions Namibia defeated Burkina Faso 38-9 to keep their title defence alive.
