Centre Milan Muhambi touched down two tries while captain Sean Linfield and Jamie Forrester converted a penalty apiece for the CAR defending champions Zimbabwe while flyhalf Ivam Magomo’s try and fullback Philip Pariyo’s penalty reduced the arrears for the Ugandans.
The two countries, plus Tunisia and Namibia, are fighting for the right to represent Africa at next year’s edition of Junior World Rugby Trophy while the other four countries: Kenya, Madagascar, Zambia and Morocco, compete in the second tier for promotion to next year’s Confederation of African Rugby top division.
In earlier matches, Zimbabwe’s long-time rivals Namibia beat Tunisia 9-8 in a tightly contested match while in the second tier division Morocco lost 6-7 to Madagascar. In another second tier match Kenya beat Zambia 22 -13.
However, it is Zimbabwe’s performance that can be a cause for concern as they struggled with their kicking and ball handling skills, especially considering that long-time rivals Namibia, whom they have beaten on the past two occasions for the top post on the continent, also won yesterday.
The Young Sables’ front row was also struggling in the match and needs to shape up if Zimbabwe is to match Tunisia and the Namibia.
