RUGBY IVORY COAST 77 ZAMBIA 3 IVORY Coast on Sunday crushed Zambia in the opening match of the 2013 Confederation of African Rugby (CAR) Africa Cup of Nations Division 1C in Yamoussoukro. This is Zambia’s highest defeat to the West Africans fondly referred to as ‘Les Elephants’ in the teams three meetings since 2008. Ivory Coast thumped Zambia 32-9 in their first meeting in July 2008 before last year’s 24-18 victory at the 2012 CAR Africa Cup Division 1C in Gaborone, Botswana. The west Africans produced their best performance on Sunday putting Zambia to their sword with Sydney Djiropo, Jean-Maurice Oulouma, Ibrahim Konate, Bakary Meite and Guy Pacome Yavo overwhelming their opponents with sleek skill combined with physique. According to Ivory Coast’s Notre Voice newspaper, Zambia were simply no march for the west Africans whose ambition is to gain promotion to Division 1B next season after narrowly missing out to Botswana. Ivory Coast are ranked 45 on the International Rugby Board (IRB) world 30 rungs above Zambia. Morocco also started their campaign with a convincing victory over Niger while Nigeria thumped Mauritius 63-3. Zambia, who were missing eight players who remained behind last Friday due to ticketing problems, will tomorrow face Niger, Morocco meet Nigeria while Ivory Coast date Mauritius. Ivory Coast are the only other African team apart from the Springboks to have qualified for the IRB Rugby World Cup competion at the 1995 tournament in South Africa. The winners of the Africa Cup Division 1C in Yamoussoukro will keep alive the chance to be promoted to Division 1A for the 2015 season. The last day of qualifying matches will see Zambia facing Nigeria, Mauritius against Niger while Ivory Coast will battle Morocco.
Posted on: Tue, 25 Jun 2013 08:31:12 +0000
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