Kenya will face Zimbabwe in the semi-finals this coming Sunday.
Kenya Simbas lock Andycole Omollo believes the team has what it takes to qualify for the 2027 Rugby World Cup, despite falling short in the past.
Omollo, who was named Man of the Match in Kenya’s 32-24 win over Uganda on Tuesday, said teamwork and determination will carry them through the 2024 Rugby Africa Cup.
“First, I have to thank God for the pleasure of being here. It has been a great honour not just for me, but for the entire team. We played like a unit, thanks to my brothers.
“This victory means a lot to me,” said Omollo, a rising star from KCB RFC, who graduated from Kenya’s Under-20 side.
The Simbas kicked off their campaign in style with a hard-fought victory over hosts Uganda in the quarterfinals played in Kampala.
Griffin Chao was the hero with two tries, while Barry Young and captain George Nyambua also touched down. Jone Kubu added key conversions, and Young sealed the win with two drop goals.
The win puts Kenya in the semifinals of the Rugby Africa Cup, which also serves as the pathway to the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia. The Simbas will now face Zimbabwe, who beat Morocco 43-8 in their quarter-final match.
Other semi-finalists include Namibia, who crushed Senegal 55-17, and Algeria, who beat Ivory Coast 41-6. Namibia will face Algeria in the other semi-final, while the classification matches will see Ivory Coast take on Senegal and Uganda meet Morocco.
For the Simbas, the dream of playing at the Rugby World Cup remains alive.
In recent years, Kenya has come close. In 2014, the Simbas were denied a spot at the 2015 World Cup after a 27-10 loss to Zimbabwe.
Fast forward to three years ago, Kenya lost to Namibia in the Rugby Africa Cup final, missing a ticket to the 2023 World Cup in France.
This year, however, there is renewed hope. The team is younger, hungrier, and more united. Players like Omollo, who already has three caps for the senior team—all against Uganda—are showing maturity and passion.
Simbas coach Jerome Paarwater praised the team’s fighting spirit and said the focus now shifts to Zimbabwe.
“Uganda gave us a tough game, but we stayed calm and took our chances. Now, we prepare for Zimbabwe. It won’t be easy, but we believe,” he said.