Kenya packs their Rio bags
They will join the Springbok Sevens team in representing the African continent at the international showpiece. The Springbok Sevens booked their place in the Olympic Games by finishing second on the World Sevens Series log at the end of the 2014/15 season.
Meanwhile, Namibia – who were coached by former Springbok Sevens assistant coach Vuyo Zangqa – scored a last-minute try against Madagascar to win the Plate final, while Botswana defeated Zambia 26-14 to win the Bowl final.
Kenya were in fine form from the outset and started the day with a convincing 41-0 victory against Madagascar to book their place in the Cup semi-final against Tunisia. They continued to build on this form and secured a morale-boosting 42-12 victory against Tunisia to cement their place in the Cup final.
Zimbabwe opened up the day's play with a 31-10 victory against Nigeria and then defeated Morocco 26-0 in the Cup semi-final to earn their place in the final.
Both teams tried hard to find gaps on attack, while defending solidly in an attempt to shut out the opposition. Kenya struck first with a try after finding space out wide and took full advantage to touch down for a 7-0 lead. Zimbabwe struck back soon after with a try of their own but an unsuccessful conversion left them trailing by two points.
Zimbabwe side-stepped their way through the defence on the stroke of half-time to take a 12-7 lead.
The teams continued to put their bodies on the line in the second half and after several minutes of unsuccessfully trying to force their way through the defence, Kenya managed to find space and score under the posts to hand them a 14-12 lead.
They had a few chances to extend their lead but Zimbabwe scored a long-range try seconds before the final whistle to sneak a three-point lead. This lead, however, was short-lived as Kenya hit back with a try from their own 22, to snatch a 19-17 victory at the death.
Africa Men's Sevens Olympic Qualifier, Day Two results:
Bowl semi-finals:
Senegal 10-40 Zambia
Mauritius 14-17 Botswana
Cup quarter-finals:
Kenya 41-0 Madagascar
Uganda 14-19 Tunisia
Namibia 15-22 Morocco
Zimbabwe 31-10 Nigeria
Plate semi-finals:
Madagascar 24-7 Uganda
Namibia 39-5 Nigeria
Cup semi-finals:
Kenya 42-12 Tunisia
Morocco 0-26 Zimbabwe
Finals:
11th/12th playoff: Senegal 5-40 Mauritius
Bowl final: Botswana 26-14 Zambia
7th/8th playoff: Uganda 22-12 Nigeria
Plate final: Madagascar 17-24 Namibia
3rd/4th playoff: Tunisia 12-19 Morocco
Cup final: Kenya 19-17 Zimbabwe
