Namibia and Kenya through to final

NAMIBIA and Kenya qualified for the final of the African Barthes u20 Trophy with contrasting victories in Windhoek on Wednesday afternoon.

Kenya easily beat Madagascar 51-13 in the first match but Namibia had to pull out all the stops before beating Zimbabwe 27-17 in the second.

In the first match, Madagascar gave a plucky performance but Kenya’s forwards wore them down.

Madagascar were also unlucky to concede several intercept tries after sustained attacks that they could not convert into points.

Kenya, who led 27-13 at halftime, scored seven tries, with eighthman Mark Mutuku scoring two and flanker Monate Akuei, right wing Jeff Mutuku, left wing Joshua Macharia, centre Victor Matiko and scrum half Xavier Bett one each.

Bett added four conversions and one penalty for a personal tally of 16 points while Macharia added a conversion and a penalty.

For Madagascar, right wing Ramangacahy Nauforauia scored a try while flanker Rakotoniaina Nomurjanishary added two penalties and a conversion.

Namibia beat Zimbabwe 27-17 in an almighty battle after leading 13-10 at halftime.

In a high-tempered match Zimbabwe had two players yellow carded for foul play in the first half, while Namibian lock Adriaan Ludik was yellow carded with 12 minutes to go after a mass brawl broke out.

Namibia however defended admirably to hold on for a 10-point victory.

Namibian left wing Elmarco Beukes scored two tries and lock Adriaan Ludik one, while fly half Denzo Bruwer added three conversions and two penalties for a personal tally of 12 points.

Zimbabwe scored two tries through prop Cleopas Kundiona and lock Tonderai Chiwambutsa, while fly half Timotenda Mavesere added a penalty and a conversion, and substitute fly half Nigel Tinarwo another conversion.

Namibia and Kenya will now contest the final on Saturday afternoon while Madagascar and Zimbabwe will meet in the third place play-off.