Kenya sneak win over Brazil in Amapá

A late penalty by Kenyan flier Darwin Mukidza saw the Simbas complete an 18-17 victory over Brazil this evening in Amapá.

In what was the first ever test match in northern Brazil, os Tupis hosted the Simbas in a what was a one fixture match with the Hemisphere Cup on the line. The name Hemisphere Cup was chosen due to the equator running through both countries. Moreover the specific venue was also cut by the equator itself.

The home side started very well. Strong work from the Brazilian forwards resulted in the game’s opening try. In just the second minute a rolling maul saw back-rower André Arruda crossing for an unconverted try.

Up 5-0 the South Americans made Kenya look ordinary throughout the opening quarter and through the boot of flyhalf Leo Ceccarelli, Brazil went 11-0 ahead.

Up until this point in the match it had been one way traffic but a poor restart from Brazil saw Kenya regathering and David Ambunya running over for a gift seven pointer.

Goal kickers Ceccarelli and Mukidza then traded penalties in the only remaining scores of the opening half. With it Brazil held a 14-10 lead at the midway stage of the match.

With the heat taking control the level of rugby on offer dropped way and this hurt the home team more so than the visitors. Kenya’s handling errors in the opening half were now being replicated by os Tupis and with it the half was a stop-start affair.

The Simbas were also able to commit fewer errors, putting Brazil under pressure as a result. It told with Kenya scoring their second try through second-rower Simeon Muniafu. With the conversion off target Brazil retained a lead, albeit by a single point.

With both goal kickers proving inaccurate in the third quarter it was not until the final ten minutes that more points were scored. In the end the lead changed the hands with Kenya going ahead before Brazil reclaimed it only for Mukidza to strike the decisive blow. His 77th minute penalty sealing an 18-17 win.

BRAZIL 17
Tries – A. Arruda
Pens – L. Ceccarelli 4

KENYA 18
Tries – D. Ambunya, S. Muniafu
Cons – D. Mukidza
Pens – D. Mukidza 2

BRAZIL
1 Lucas Abud, 2 Wilton Rebolo, 3 Caique Silva, 4 Cléber Dias, 5 Luiz Vieira, 6 André Arruda, 7 João Luiz da Ros (capt.), 8 Nick Smith, 9 Beukes Cremer, 10 Leonardo Ceccarelli, 11 Guilherme Coghetto, 12 Laurent Bourda-Couhet, 13 Felipe Sancery, 14 Robert Tenório, 15 Daniel Sancery

Replacements: 16 Luan Almeida, 17 Jonatas Paulo, 18 Alexandre Alves, 19 Matheus Wolf, 20 Mark Jackson, 21 Matheus Cruz, 22 Luan Smanio, 23 Mateus Estrela

KENYA
1 Mosese Amusala, 2 Sammy Warui, 3 Curtis Lilako, 4 Simeon Muniafu, 5 Oliver Mang’eni, 6 Mike Okombe, 7 Tonny Owuor, 8 Brian Nyikuli (capt.), 9 Edwin Achayo, 10 Isaac Adimo, 11 Dennis Muhanji, 12 Nick Barasa, 13 David Ambunya, 14 Darwin Mukidza, 15 Vincent Mose

Replacements: 16 Peter Karia, 17 Joseph Kang’ethe, 18 James Kang’ethe, 19 Eric Kerre, 20 Daniel Sikuta, 21 Samson Onsomu, 22 Nato Simiyu, 23 Tony Onyango