Kampala — UGANDA'S bid for a slot in the 2009 IRB Sevens World Cup collapsed as the Cranes suffered back-to-back defeats to Kenya and Nambia in Tunisia yesterday.

The Rugby Cranes had got off to a promising start with convincing victories over Senegal and Tunisia B on Friday but fell to Kenya 31-0 and went on to lose to Namibia 27-19 to put paid to their hopes of qualification.

Namibia extinguished Uganda's slim hopes when they beat Tunisia B 12-7 to book a place in the semifinals. The result meant that Cranes were out of the contest for a slot in the World Cup. Uganda will only have a women's team at the World Cup.

The Lady Cranes beat Tunisia in the semifinals in Kampala in September to make the World Cup. The star-studded Kenyans, who had a perfect record throughout the 10-team tournament, beat Zimbabwe 26-12 in the final to lift the trophy.

Hosts Tunisia had to grit their teeth to get a slot in the World Cup when they edged Namibia 31-12 in the third place play-off. Kenya, Zimbabwe, Tunisia and South Africa will represent Africa region in the World Cup. Africa's rugby powerhouse South Africa did not have to be subjected to a qualifier.

The 2009 IRB Sevens World Cup will be staged in Dubai. Three African teams qualify for the tournament after the Tunis tournament - winners Kenya, beaten finalists Zimbabwe and third-place play-off winners Tunisia.

FINAL

Kenya 26 Zimbabwe 12

Third place play-off

Tunisia 31 Nambia 12

Preliminary results

Nambia 27 Uganda 19

Kenya 31 Uganda 0