Kenya places fourth in Africa rugby tournament

NAIROBI, Aug. 11 (Xinhua) -- Kenya went one place better by finishing fourth as the Africa Rugby Confederation under-19 tournament ended on Tuesday in Nairobi.

The hosts were beaten 28-11 by a tactical Tunisia side which dominated the play and showed maturity in attack. Mathew Musalia, the Kenya hooker and captain was lost for words.

"I knew we could have played better than we did but fell short. We played in flashes and lacked unit play. Some of the points scored against us were quite soft because players missed tackles, "the captain noted.

Mwenesi who also plays as hooker for Impala Club added that indiscipline in attack resulted in too many penalties which cost the team a win.

"What we need is to play together for a long time so that players can get used to one another. Look at the way Tunisia, Zimbabwe and Namibia played. You could tell that they have been together for a long time," Mwenesi said.

Mitch Ocholla, the coach agreed. "Discipline cost us," he stated. The coach also noted that the top three teams were better conditioned and unlike a nine-week preparation for the IRB Junior World Rugby Trophy, Kenya only had 10 days to train for this tournament.

Zimbabwe he noted had a 16-week preparation. "The answer is to start preparations earlier. We need to go the Sevens way for proper conditioning because the results are there for all to see, "the coach added.

His counterpart Mohammed Sahroui explained that they had planned to deny their opponents any running ball.

"We did not want the Kenyans to get any ball on the outside because they are very good runners. Instead, we opted for a tight game upfront in the first half and slowed down the game in the second half," he said.

But, the Tunisian coach would like the format to be changed. "Namibia are in a class of their own and should be promoted to the next level leaving Tunisia, Kenya, Uganda, Zimbabwe and Morocco tovie for top honours. We only played three matches which should also be revised because at this age, the players need more exposure," Sahroui added.

David Ambunya kicked Kenya in the lead in the 10th minute but Chamseddine Khalfa leveled three minutes later.

Chemseddine broke the deadlock in the 20th minute and Ambunya leveled the scores for the second time in the 26th minute.

When Maher Kammoun scored the first try for Tunisia in the 26thminute and Chamseddine converted, there was no turning back. Chachir Aoudi was the battering ram for the Tunisians often beating the gain line in the rucks.

Jihed Hamdi went over for the second try in the 30th minute andChamseddine was sure before Kenya fly-half Isaac Adimo scored the consolation try in the 35th minute.

In the second half, Kenya were reduced to 14 after Willy Ambakawas sent off by Drew Roberts, the Zimbabwean referee.

Cheldi Jebri used the numerical advantage to score and Chamseddine added a penalty.