Zimbabwe President Emmerson Mnangagwa has thrown his weight behind their national men’s rugby 15s team, the Sables, with a generous US$100,000 (approximately Ksh 13 million) incentive as they pursue a historic qualification to the 2027 Rugby World Cup.Follow our WhatsApp channel for more newsThis high-stakes motivation comes just days before the Sables take on arch-rivals Kenya Simbas in the Rugby Africa Cup semifinals scheduled for Sunday, 13 July at the Nelson Mandela Stadium in Kampala, Uganda.Kenya Simbas move up in World Rugby rankingsThe Zimbabweans secured their semifinal ticket with an emphatic 43-8 win over Morocco on Tuesday, 8 July in the quarterfinals played at the same venue. Despite Morocco drawing first blood with an early try off a rolling maul, Zimbabwe gradually took control of the match thanks to the accurate boot and leadership of fly-half Ian Prior.##NAJAVA_MECA_9012055##Prior slotted in an early penalty to close the gap before giving the Sables a 6-5 lead with a second successful kick. As the rain eased and conditions improved, Zimbabwe’s backline began to shine. Star fullback Tapiwa Mafura crossed over in the corner for the Sables’ first try, which Prior converted from a difficult angle to extend their lead to 13-5.Kenya Sevens star signs for Dutch top flight sideOn the stroke of halftime, Prior punished Moroccan ill-discipline once again, drilling home a penalty to give the Sables a 16-5 cushion at the break.Morocco showed intent early in the second half, with Ilan El Khattabi scoring a penalty to narrow the margin to 16-8. But that would be their final contribution to the scoreboard as Zimbabwe turned on the style.##NAJAVA_MECA_9010959##Counter-attacking brilliance saw Edward Sigauke grab Zimbabwe’s second try, again converted by Prior, who continued his flawless kicking performance. Trevor Gurwe added another try moments later, thanks to a well-timed pass from Mafura, before Prior extended the lead with yet another penalty.Reason for Beldad Ogeta and Samson Onsomu’s omissions from Kenya Simbas squadTadiwanashe Ngwashu capped off the dominant display with a late try to seal the 43-8 win.The Sables are aiming to return to the Rugby World Cup stage for the first time since 1991, where they made history as the first African country to compete at the global stage.##NAJAVA_MECA_9010958##A win over Kenya would take them to the final of the Rugby Africa Cup, where the winner secures automatic qualification for the 2027 World Cup in Australia. The runner-up will proceed to a global repechage tournament for a last shot at qualification.Samuel Asati outlines major benefits Kenya Simbas gained from South Africa campZimbabwe and Kenya share a fierce rugby rivalry, and their upcoming meeting in Kampala promises to be a classic.
