Kenya Lose To Portugal In World Cup Qualifier

Kenya Simbas hopes of qualifying for the 2023 Rugby World Cup went up in smoke after losing their second consecutive match of the Repechage qualifiers 85-0 to Portugal  at The Sevens Stadium in Dubai, UAE on Saturday.

Kenya, who soaked in 10 tries to crush to 68-14 in the opening match, will only be playing for pride against Hong Kong in their last match of the qualifiers.

Thibault de Freitas’ third minute try put Portugal 5-0 up before Mike Tadjer added another try four minutes later to see the Wolves go 12-0 up.

Manuel Cardos Pinto then added another try for 21-0, summing up a torrid opening quarter of an hour for the Simbas.

A lapse of concentration enabled Portugal to extend their lead through James Lima and Vincent Pinto, who made two more tries that were converted by superb Samuel Marques.

In the second-half, Portugal again took advantage of costly errors by the Kenyans to capitalise and overpower them.

Tadjer,Pinto, Jose Andrade, Joe Belo and Lionel Campergue made more tries on helpless Kenyans, who are now out of contention with a match at hand against Hong Kong next Friday.

USA are up against Hong Kong in the other Repechage qualifying match where victory for the Americans  will place them in good stead of qualifying for France 2023.

Victory for Hong Kong against USA will throw the qualifier open and take it to the wire. Kenya could spoil the party for Hong Kong with victory in their last match.

Photo: File