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I couldn't see a thread to post about the African Gold Cup which started today so I figured I'd post this and open it to encompass general african rugby issues that anyone might want to post about.
The African Gold Cup appears to be like an African version of the Rugby Europe Championship, including promotion and relegation for the worst team. Namibia are the reigning champions and in my ignorance I would have assumed they would be firm favourites this year, but Kenya recently ran Germany very close in Nairobi (last minute drop goal gave Germany victory), and today Kenya only just snatched a last minute draw against Uganda (in Kenya, a great match and atmosphere). Zimbabwe (who last year ran Russia close) needed a couple of late scores to win in Senegal today. Therefore, the sides in this competition may be broadly comparable in quality to the likes of Belgium, Portugal or Netherlands in Europe, Chile, Brazil and Paraguay in the Americas Rugby Championships and Hong Kong & Korea in Asia.
First impressions are that the rugby lacks control at the set piece but makes up for it with athleticism, offloading and also some quality kicking from the tee.
The draw is as follows.
24/06: Kenya v Uganda in Nairobi: Senegal v Zimbabwe in Dakar
01/07: Tunisia v Namibia in Monastir; Senegal v Uganda in Dakar
08/07: Kenya v Tunisia in Nairobi: Namibia v Senegal in Windhoek
16/07: Kenya v Senegal in Nairobi: Uganda v Tunisia in Kampala; Namibia v Zimbabwe in Windhoek
22/07: Uganda v Namibia in Kampala; Zimbabwe v Kenya in Bulawayo
29/07: Namibia v Kenya in Windhoek; Zimbabwe v Tunisia in Harare
05/08: Uganda v Zimbabwe in Kampala; Tunisia v Senegal in Monastir
For the first round there were pretty good quality live streams available in English and when I become aware of these I'll post them here incase anyone is interested. Apparently it will be next years tournament only which will decide the Africa 1 qualifier for the RWC in Group B (All Blacks, South Africa, Italy & repechage qualifier).
I apologise if anything above is not accurate. It'd be fair to say I'm no expert in African rugby!
The African Gold Cup appears to be like an African version of the Rugby Europe Championship, including promotion and relegation for the worst team. Namibia are the reigning champions and in my ignorance I would have assumed they would be firm favourites this year, but Kenya recently ran Germany very close in Nairobi (last minute drop goal gave Germany victory), and today Kenya only just snatched a last minute draw against Uganda (in Kenya, a great match and atmosphere). Zimbabwe (who last year ran Russia close) needed a couple of late scores to win in Senegal today. Therefore, the sides in this competition may be broadly comparable in quality to the likes of Belgium, Portugal or Netherlands in Europe, Chile, Brazil and Paraguay in the Americas Rugby Championships and Hong Kong & Korea in Asia.
First impressions are that the rugby lacks control at the set piece but makes up for it with athleticism, offloading and also some quality kicking from the tee.
The draw is as follows.
24/06: Kenya v Uganda in Nairobi: Senegal v Zimbabwe in Dakar
01/07: Tunisia v Namibia in Monastir; Senegal v Uganda in Dakar
08/07: Kenya v Tunisia in Nairobi: Namibia v Senegal in Windhoek
16/07: Kenya v Senegal in Nairobi: Uganda v Tunisia in Kampala; Namibia v Zimbabwe in Windhoek
22/07: Uganda v Namibia in Kampala; Zimbabwe v Kenya in Bulawayo
29/07: Namibia v Kenya in Windhoek; Zimbabwe v Tunisia in Harare
05/08: Uganda v Zimbabwe in Kampala; Tunisia v Senegal in Monastir
For the first round there were pretty good quality live streams available in English and when I become aware of these I'll post them here incase anyone is interested. Apparently it will be next years tournament only which will decide the Africa 1 qualifier for the RWC in Group B (All Blacks, South Africa, Italy & repechage qualifier).
I apologise if anything above is not accurate. It'd be fair to say I'm no expert in African rugby!