KAMPALA, July 20 (Xinhua) -- Kenya and Namibia have qualified for the semifinals of the 2024 Rugby Africa Cup in Kampala, Uganda.
Kenya defeated Senegal 37-17, while reigning champions Namibia saw off Burkina Faso 38-5 in the quarterfinals played on Day 1 of the tournament at the Nelson Mandela Stadium, Namboole on Saturday.
Eugene Sifuna and Beldad Ogeta came out shining with each scoring two tries apiece, after Senegal had taken the lead through a penalty.
Center Bryceson Agesa also scored for Kenya, while Timothy Okwemba was sharp with the conversions. Lamine Sylla managed two tries for Burkino Faso.
"We are very happy that the team has qualified for the next stage of the competition. It was not easy to beat Senegal because the same side stopped us two years ago," said Kenya's Sifuna after the match.
The second quarterfinal saw favourites Namibia, who have played at the World Cup, emerge victorious. "We came for this tournament with a lot of motivation and confidence. We decided every match here will be approached like a final and we are happy to win our opening match," said Namibia's captain Danco Burger.
The tournament semifinals will take place on July 24, with the final coming four days afterwards.
Namibia, who beat Kenya in last year's final, have lifted the Rugby Africa Cup a record nine times, while South Africa have won three titles. Kenya and Morocco have also lifted the Cup twice, while Uganda and Zimbabwe have each won the Cup once. ■
