Zimbabwe 10 (17) Uganda 0 (0)

THE Zimbabwe national rugby team stormed into the semi-final of the Africa Cup tournament after beating Uganda 17-0 at the Old Georgians Sports Club yesterday.

Although not empathic, the win over the east Africans came at the right time for the Sables who looked to lack confidence in the first half due to a shock defeat away to Madagascar a fortnight ago.

The team was not polished in the lineouts and most of the set pieces and could have gone to the breather with a bigger lead. Zimbabwe goes through to the semis to face rivals Namibia after dislodging Uganda and Madagascar for pole position in the group on a superior bonus-point basis.

At half time, the Sables led 10-0 through tries by wing Emmanuel Munyoro and hooker Mzingayi Nyathi.

The first try was simply a gem! Out-of-form centre, Daniel Hondo released an overlapping Munyoro on the right wing before the pint-sized Old Hararians three-quarter out sprinted the whole Uganda back-line on a fine return pass from big lock Emmanuel Mukandi to draw first blood.

Inspirational veteran Nyathi, scored the second try after scrambling through from a lineout at the Uganda try-line. Scrumhalf Gary Hewitt, who did not have a good game, missed both conversions.

The Sables seemed short of inspiration in the centre of the park as the back-line struggled to run the ball in the second half. However, coach Brighton Chivandire got his act together and moved Germany-based Victor Zimbawo from fullback to centre, with young Cleopas Makotose coming on as a substitute at fullback. Zimbawo brought some mobility to the game as Zimbabwe, for the first time, put the Ugandans under serious pressure. They were dully rewarded when Zimbawo touched-down for the Sables' third try after the whole team had virtually camped in the Uganda half in the last moments. Debuting South Africa-based fly half Grant Mitchell, took over from the substituted Hewitt and easily converted.

Costa Dinha, the Sables captain was elated as was the rest of his team mates and technical department and already looking forward to the Namibian game set for September 25 in Windhoek.