Kenya survives Rugby Cranes scare to reach Africa Cup semis

Kenya drew first blood in the 20th minute when Griffin Chao crashed over at the corner to put the visitors ahead, though the conversion by Timothy Omela went wide. Barry Young extended the lead minutes later with a clinical second try, this time Omela making no mistake to push the score to 12-0.

Uganda responded in the 35th minute through Aaron Oforyoth, who punished a Kenyan defensive lapse after a quick restart. Philip Wokorach converted to narrow the gap to 12-7. However, Kenya restored control early in the second half as Barry Young slotted in a beautiful drop goal in the 44th minute, making it 15-07.

Wokorach reduced the deficit again in the 51st minute with a penalty kick, but Kenya's captain George Nyambua stepped up with a moment of brilliance, capitalizing on a botched Ugandan scrum to dive over the try line, and John Kubu converted to stretch the lead to 22-10. Barry Young followed up with another drop goal as the Simbas surged ahead 25-10.

Uganda wasn't done yet. Adrian Kasito’s clever grubber kick created chaos in Kenya’s backline, and Byron Oketayot pounced to score after outmuscling scrum-half Samuel Asati. Wokorach added the extras, bringing the score to 29-24 with 10 minutes left, putting pressure on the Kenyans.

But Barry Young silenced the home crowd once again, slotting a final drop kick to secure the win and kill off any hope of a Ugandan comeback.

With the 32-24 victory, Kenya books a semifinal date against Zimbabwe who also eliminated Morocco 43-8 on Sunday, July 13, 2025, at the same venue, as their dream of a 2027 World Cup berth in Australia remains alive.