Zambia has moved one step closer to Gold Cup qualification after beating Madagascar 31-29 at Mufulira Rugby Club on Saturday and clinching the Silver Cup south section.
Both Zambia and Madagascar came into the contest with a win each after beating Botswana.
The hosts were under pressure from the Islanders who had a better scoreline against Botswana, a situation which was evident to all local rugby fanatics in Mufulira, whose expectations were sky high.
Madagscar’s try scorers were Saidi Rakotoarimanana and Michael Raharijaona, who also added two conversions, three penalties and two drop goals.
The hosts scored tries via Bruce Saimbunji, Rodgers Mukupa and Edward Mumba.
RUGBY AFRICA SILVER CUP 🥈🏆🏉 - Full Time score: Zambia will challenge the Algerian team the 25th of August after their win against Madagascar
— Rugby Afrique (@RugbyAfrique) July 14, 2018
Zambia 🇿🇲 31 vs 29🇲🇬 Madagascar
Finale August 25: Algérie 🇩🇿 vs 🇿🇲 Zambia ! pic.twitter.com/K6NGWubRPT
Laston Mukosa kicked a conversion and two penalties, while Dean Zulu also notched up a conversion and two penalties.
Zambia will now go on to meet Algeria, the winner of the Silver Cup north section, to decide who qualifies for the Gold Cup next year.
“We shall ensure that the technical bench hits the ground running as we prepare for the game against Algeria at a venue to be announced,” said the Zambia Rugby Union president Gen Clement Sinkamba.
“We played and lost our first game against Algeria in November 2017, so the coaches will start assessing areas of concern before the team is recalled for residential camp.”
RUGBY AFRICA SILVER CUP 🏉🏆🥈 - Full-Time score: L'Algérie en finalw de la Silver Cup suite à leur victoire face à la Côte d'Ivoire
— Rugby Afrique (@RugbyAfrique) July 14, 2018
Côte d'Ivoire 🇨🇮 13 vs 23 🇩🇿 Algérie Rendez-vous le 25 août 2018 pour connaître le grand gagnant de la compétition ! pic.twitter.com/p60pBuObws
Prior to the Silver Cup south section finale, Zambia Women played Zimbabwe in an International friendly dubbed “Battle of the Zambezi” by local rugby enthusiasts.
Zambia scored a try by captain Shirley Mwami which was converted by Rennie Sunzu Wilima. Their neighbours Zimbabwe scored a penalty by Precious Marange.