In a thrilling Africa Cup final on Saturday, Zimbabwe pulled off a dramatic 30-28 victory over Namibia, securing their place at the Rugby World Cup for the first time in over three decades. The historic win means the Sables will join world champions South Africa as Africa’s representatives in the expanded 24-team tournament, set to take place in Australia in 2027.
The match, played in Kampala, Uganda, was a tense and fiercely contested battle, with both sides trading blows throughout. Zimbabwe’s triumph marks only the third time an African nation has reached the World Cup in the professional era demonstration of their resilience and tactical discipline.
The first half was a seesaw affair, with both teams exchanging penalties and tries. Zimbabwe struck first when centre Kudzai Mashawi powered through Namibia’s defence following a well-executed lineout move. Namibia responded swiftly, capitalising on a yellow card against Zimbabwe’s Jason Fraser to level the scores at 16-16 by halftime.
The Sables appeared to take control in the second half, with second-row Godfrey Muzanarwo bulldozing over the line early on. Wing Brandon Mudzekenyedzi then extended the lead with a perfectly timed run, seemingly putting the game beyond Namibia’s reach.
But the Welwitschias refused to surrender. Jay-Cee Nel and Adriaan Booysen scored quick tries to narrow the gap to just two points, setting up a nerve-wracking finale. Namibia had a chance to snatch victory in the dying moments, but Tiaan Swanepoel’s long-range penalty attempt drifted wide, sealing Zimbabwe’s historic qualification.
Player of the match Godfrey Muzanarwo praised his team’s collective effort, crediting the coaching staff and the support from back home for their success. “The work starts now,” he said. “We don’t want to go to the World Cup just to be there, we want to compete and put Zimbabwe on the map.”
For Namibia, the defeat means they must now face the United Arab Emirates in a playoff next weekend for a chance to advance to November’s final qualification tournament. Having appeared in the last seven World Cups, the Welwitschias remain determined to extend their streak.
Elsewhere in the competition, Algeria secured third place with a hard-fought 15-5 win over Kenya, while Senegal edged Morocco 33-28 in a dramatic golden-point extra-time thriller for fifth. Hosts Uganda avoided relegation with a convincing 37-17 victory over Ivory Coast, ending their campaign on a high note.
Zimbabwe’s qualification is a landmark moment for African rugby, proving that determination and teamwork can overcome even the most established opponents. As the Sables prepare for the global stage, their journey serves as an inspiration to emerging rugby nations across the continent.
