In a recent Victoria Rugby Cup match held at the Kyadondo Rugby Club in Kampala, Zambia’s national rugby team faced a challenging defeat against Kenya with a score of 36-12. National team player, Daniel Gunda, expressed his thoughts on the match, admitting that Zambia had been outsmarted by the Kenyan team.
Prior to this encounter, Zambia had experienced a disheartening 30-8 loss to the host nation, Uganda. Eager for a turnaround in fortunes, Zambia had hoped to cause an upset against Kenya. However, from the outset, it was evident that the Kenyan team had taken control of the game.
Kenya secured an early lead, going 7-0 ahead through a well-executed try by Ephraim Oduor, complemented by Jone Kubu’s successful conversion. Zambia, sensing the growing threat, tightened their defense. Despite their efforts, Kenya managed to extend their lead to 14-0.
Joel Inzuga furthered Kenya’s advantage by scoring a try, and Kubu’s conversion left Zambia trailing at 19-0. Zambia managed to gain some points with two successful penalty kicks, bringing the score to 19-12. Nevertheless, Kenya’s Jone Kubu, undeterred, scored another try, extending Kenya’s lead.
Reflecting on the game, Daniel Gunda commented, “We had a game plan, but they outsmarted us. We look forward to playing them again for a rematch.”
The match was characterized as tough and physically demanding by Kenya’s vice-captain, Brian Wahinya. He commended Zambia for their robust and powerful performance.
While the outcome may not have been in Zambia’s favor, the spirit of competition and the lessons learned from such encounters continue to fuel the determination of national rugby teams, promising exciting future matches and potential upsets in the world of rugby.
