28 August 2008
Nairobi — Kenya will play against Cote d'Ivoire in the sixth and fifth play off on Saturday with a mission to improve on the sixth place ranking as the Africa Rugby Confederation under-19 tournament ends in Tunis, Tunisia.
On Wednesday, Kenya gave the defending champions Namibia a scare before losing 19-26.
It was the defending champions who were quick off the mark scoring two converted tries in the 12th and 17th minutes.
Mike Wanjala pulled one back for Kenya in the 20th minute as Namibia led 14-5 at half-time. Namibia came roaring back in the second half scoring a converted try in the 38th minute to lead 21-5.
Patrice Agunda replied for Kenya in the 45th minute and George Mutuku converted to narrow the gap 21-12 in Namibia's favour.
Eric Kioko barged over from a maul and Mutuku converted in the 58th minute to bring the game within Kenya's grasp 21-19.
But, Namibia held on and punished a mistake by the Kenyan's to score their fourth try in the 65th minute.
Wanjala's attempted chip over the advancing Namibia backs was retrieved and there was no stopping their speedy backs to the line.
"We were just unlucky to concede two tries in the opening minutes. The idea was to contain Namibia for the first 20 minutes. I am not disappointed, the competition has been close and we are still within our aim of improving on our sixth position from the last tournament which means we must beat Ivory Coast in the play-off, "Mitch Ocholla, the Kenya coach, said.
Oliver Kituyi, the team manager, concurred with him.
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