A technically superior Zimbabwe outfit ended Uganda's pursuit for a maiden Confederation of African Rugby (CAR) under-19 Africa Cup title in Abidjan, Ivory Coast yesterday.

Zimbabwe Young Sables nailed the Uganda Baby Cranes 29-0 in the mid-afternoon semifinal of the annual continental showpiece courtesy of extraordinary displays and tries from Charles Jiji, Luke Rutter and Takudzwa Jaravaza.

In last year's event, the Baby Cranes were ejected 24-0 at the first hurdle by the same opponents who went on to win the overall title.

And there were no regrets for Coach Brian Makalama's side that had beaten Kenya 18-0 to reach their first-ever semifinal.

"We lost to a side with superior tactical nous and stronger mentality. They are the defending champions and it was always going to be hard to beat them. But there are a lot of positives that the youngsters will return home with. The exposure and lessons learned will be crucial to our future campaigns," Ramsey Fidel Olinga, the Uganda Rugby Union (URU) Development Officer, told Daily Monitor, yesterday.

Uganda will now play its last game - a third-place playoff against the loser of the Tunisia versus Namibia semifinal that was played yesterday evening, on Friday, before returning home on Sunday.

Some of Uganda's bright prospects from the tour include captain Ivan Cadri, fly-half Jasper Ochen, center Raymond Kasule and Kings College Budo's inspirational No.8 Adnan Mutebi.

The Young Sables represented Africa at the Junior World Rugby Trophy in Russia earlier in May where they finished seventh overall.

Namibia, Kenya, Zambia, Morocco, Tunisia and hosts Ivory Coast are also taking part in the eight-nation tournament that is played on a knockout basis.