Africa Cup 2014 - Day 3 – 6th of July 2014 Match 5. Kenya v Zimbabwe; KO 13.00 local time Kenya coach Jerome Paarwater has made 11 changes to the team that defeated Madagascar 34-0 on Wednesday for the crucial encounter against Zimbabwe in the final of the 2014 Africa Cup, at the Mahamasina Stadium in Antananarivo in Madagascar. The only one missing from the team who started the tournament by defeating Namibia 29-22 last weekend. is winger Dennis Muhanji, suspended for four matches by the CAR (Confederation of African Rugby) Judicial Panel for an act of brutality in the midweek Match against Madagascar. Muhanji has been replaced by another sevens star Kenny Andola in the team captained by lock-forward sensation Wilson K’Opondo, With ten points from two matches (eight tournament points for two wins and two offensive bonus points) Kenya are hot favourites to make history by winning for the first time ever the right to represent Africa at a RWC tournament final. A defeat with a bonus point - either offensive, (by scoring four or more tries) or defensive (by having seven or less points scored against) would enable the Kenyans to qualify to the RWC 2015 finals in England. Zimbabwe, with six tournament points, must defeat Kenya while denying them a bonus point to remain in contention for the coveted RWC qualifying slot. A win by one or two bonus points should see them overtaking Kenya on the finish line, to reach the RWC finals for the third time, the first time this century. (Zimbabwe represented Africa in both the 1987 and 1991 RWC tournaments). Coach Brendan Dawson, who was part of the 1991 RWC Zimbabwe team, made three changes to the side defeated 20-24 by Namibia in the midweek game, with Schalk Ferreira and Graeme Lawler replacing the injured duo Ian Ferreira and Sanele Sibanda respectively and hooker Keith Murray given the starting berth at the expense of Matthew Manidoma who moved onto the bench. Veteran centre Daniel Hondo retains the captaincy of a side determined to overcome the handicap of a having no practice matches in the build-up to the tournament, unlike the other three other participants. Kenya (starting Line-up 1-15): Joseph Kang’ethe, Samuel Warui, James Kang’ethe, Oliver Mang’eni, Wilson K’Opondo (captain), Brian Nyikuli, Michael Okombe, Martin Owila, Edward Achayo, Lavin Asego, Collins Injera, Patrice Agunda, Humphrey Kayange, Michael Agevi, Tonny Onyango, Zimbabwe (starting line-up 1-15): Denford Mutamangira, Leith Murray, Kevin Nquindi, Schalk Ferreira, Sanele Sibanda, Graeme Lawler, Jaques Leitao, Lambert Groenewald, Hilton Mudariki, Guy Cronje, Stephan Hunduza, Daniel Hondo (captain), Tafadzwa Chitokwindo, Tangai Nemadire. Referee: Lourans Van der Merve (SARFU) Match 6 Madagascar v Namibia; KO 15.00 Local time Namibia, with five tournament points are technically still in contention, should they beat Madagascar with a bonus point, only if Zimbabwe defeat Kenya without a bonus point, (while also denying them a bonus point) in the previous match. That scenario will see the three team equal on points (10 each) in which case the difference between the number of points scored and those scored against will be the first criterion to declare a winner, followed by the difference between the tries scored and those scored against. Should this fail as well, then the team who scored the biggest number of points in the tournament is declared champion; Should this not be enough, then the team who scored most tries in the tournament will be the winner. Finally, the last criterion - the team that had highest position in the IRB Rankings at the beginning of the tournament (June 26) wins the tournament (which is Namibia). At the end of the first match the team captained by flanker Rohan Kitshof, will know whether they are still in contention for RWC 2015 or not. Madagascar, without a point from their previous two encounters play for glory and a win should offer their veteran coach Berthin Rafilamanana, who announced his retirement from the game, with a suitable farewell gift. Captain Jose Rakoto Harison, dropped for the previous match, is restored at fly-half while lock-forward Jean de Dieu Rakotonirina, at 43 the oldest player in the tournament, and possibly in the RWC 2015 qualifying rounds, is also making his farewell appearance. Madagascar (starting line-up 1-15): Jean Willy Rabemananjara, Jean Felix Andrianjaka, Donald Rakotomialoha, Tolotra Ramaromiantso, Jean de Dieu Rakotonirina,Tiana Ravelomanantsoa,Claudio Ravelomananjara, Touissant Rabearilala, Jacuis Bayard, Jose Rakoto Harison (captain), Hery Ralaimidona, Edmond Rakotoarimanana, Sidonie Lantoniaina Rakotoarisoa, Alain Rakotonirina, Bernard Razafindranaivo, Namibia (starting Line-up 1-15): Johannes Redelinghuys, Rathony Becker, Jaco Engles, Munee Tjiueza Uatijueza, Morne Bloom, Rohan Kitshoff (captain) Tinus du Plessis, Renaldo Bothma, Eneill Buitendag, Theuns Kotze, Johannes Tromp, Johan Deysel, Henrich Smit, David Philander, Chrysander Boltha. Referee Francisco Pastrana (UAR)
Posted on: Sun, 06 Jul 2014 06:03:24 +0000