Latest news with #Sables
United News of India
3 days ago
- Sport
- United News of India
Zimbabwe beats Namibia to qualify for 2027 Rugby World Cup
Kampala, July 20 (UNI) Zimbabwe's national 15s rugby team, the Sables, has qualified for the 2027 Rugby World Cup after edging out arch-rival Namibia 30-28 in a thrilling final of the Rugby Africa Cup. Led by captain Hilton Mudariki, Zimbabwe sealed their ticket to the global tournament - set to be held in Australia - with a spirited performance at the Mandela National Stadium in Kampala. The closely contested first half ended in a 16-16 stalemate, but the Sables returned stronger after the break. Tries from Godfrey Muzanargwo and Brandon Mudzekenyedzi, along with flawless conversions by Ian Prior, pushed Zimbabwe to a commanding 30-16 lead. Namibia, however, staged a late comeback with two tries and a conversion, narrowing the deficit to just two points. A missed penalty in the dying moments ultimately cost them the match, handing Zimbabwe the Rugby Africa Cup trophy and their first World Cup qualification since 1991. "We are very happy that we have remained focused since the start of the competition and eventually qualified for the World Cup after last making it in 1991. I want to thank all the players and technical bench for a job well done," Mudariki told Xinhua. In an earlier classification match, host Uganda avoided relegation by defeating Cote d'Ivoire 37-17 to finish seventh out of eight teams. Algeria pulled off a surprise 15-5 win over Kenya to claim third place, while Senegal edged Morocco 33-28 to secure fifth. Herbert Mensah, President of Rugby Africa, praised the organizers and commended the quality of competition throughout the tournament. "The level of competition in the tournament was high and I want to thank all the eight teams for the good show. Congratulations to the Zimbabwe team for qualifying for the World Cup, and Namibia - you still have a chance to qualify through the repechage," said Mensah. UNI XINHUA RKM
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Zimbabwe stuns Namibia to qualify for Rugby World Cup for first time since 1991
KAMPALA, Uganda (AP) — Zimbabwe qualified for the Rugby World Cup for the first time since 1991 after upsetting Namibia 30-28 in the Africa Cup final on Saturday. Zimbabwe is the second side from Africa, after world champion South Africa, to secure a berth in the expanded 24-team World Cup in Australia in 2027. The Sables are also only the third side from Africa to reach the World Cup in the professional era. Namibia has played in the last seven World Cups and remained in qualifying contention as the Africa Cup runner-up. It will meet the Asia championship runner-up, the United Arab Emirates, next Saturday in Uganda. The winner advances to the final qualification tournament. Zimbabwe led 30-16 with 20 minutes to go but Namibia scored two tries to close the gap and missed a last-gasp penalty attempt from halfway. The win was only Zimbabwe's fourth over Namibia in 35 matches. ___ AP rugby: The Associated Press
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Zimbabwe stuns Namibia to qualify for Rugby World Cup for first time since 1991
KAMPALA, Uganda (AP) — Zimbabwe qualified for the Rugby World Cup for the first time since 1991 after upsetting Namibia 30-28 in the Africa Cup final on Saturday. Zimbabwe is the second side from Africa, after world champion South Africa, to secure a berth in the expanded 24-team World Cup in Australia in 2027. The Sables are also only the third side from Africa to reach the World Cup in the professional era. Namibia has played in the last seven World Cups and remained in qualifying contention as the Africa Cup runner-up. It will meet the Asia championship runner-up, the United Arab Emirates, next Saturday in Uganda. The winner advances to the final qualification tournament. Zimbabwe led 30-16 with 20 minutes to go but Namibia scored two tries to close the gap and missed a last-gasp penalty attempt from halfway. The win was only Zimbabwe's fourth over Namibia in 35 matches. ___ AP rugby:
Winnipeg Free Press
3 days ago
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Zimbabwe stuns Namibia to qualify for Rugby World Cup for first time since 1991
KAMPALA, Uganda (AP) — Zimbabwe qualified for the Rugby World Cup for the first time since 1991 after upsetting Namibia 30-28 in the Africa Cup final on Saturday. Zimbabwe is the second side from Africa, after world champion South Africa, to secure a berth in the expanded 24-team World Cup in Australia in 2027. The Sables are also only the third side from Africa to reach the World Cup in the professional era. Namibia has played in the last seven World Cups and remained in qualifying contention as the Africa Cup runner-up. It will meet the Asia championship runner-up, the United Arab Emirates, next Saturday in Uganda. The winner advances to the final qualification tournament. Zimbabwe led 30-16 with 20 minutes to go but Namibia scored two tries to close the gap and missed a last-gasp penalty attempt from halfway. The win was only Zimbabwe's fourth over Namibia in 35 matches. ___ AP rugby:
Associated Press
3 days ago
- Sport
- Associated Press
Zimbabwe stuns Namibia to qualify for Rugby World Cup for first time since 1991
KAMPALA, Uganda (AP) — Zimbabwe qualified for the Rugby World Cup for the first time since 1991 after upsetting Namibia 30-28 in the Africa Cup final on Saturday. Zimbabwe is the second side from Africa, after world champion South Africa, to secure a berth in the expanded 24-team World Cup in Australia in 2027. The Sables are also only the third side from Africa to reach the World Cup in the professional era. Namibia has played in the last seven World Cups and remained in qualifying contention as the Africa Cup runner-up. It will meet the Asia championship runner-up, the United Arab Emirates, next Saturday in Uganda. The winner advances to the final qualification tournament. Zimbabwe led 30-16 with 20 minutes to go but Namibia scored two tries to close the gap and missed a last-gasp penalty attempt from halfway. The win was only Zimbabwe's fourth over Namibia in 35 matches. ___ AP rugby:
