Zimbabwe beats Tunisia in Rugby Africa Cup Group 1A encounter

The Zimbabwean rugby team beat the visiting Tunisian side 19-8 in a closely fought Africa Cup Group 1A encounter in Harare on Saturday to move within a win of a second continental title.

Zimbabwe opened the scoring with a two early penalties by flyhalf Tichafara Makwanya with the visitors responding through a penalty of their own from fullback Chams Eddin Khalifa.

Lock forward Fortune Chipendu scored Zimbabwe's only try of the match just six minutes after coming in for injured flank Norman Mukondiwa, who was stretchered off the field of play in the 20th minute due to injury.

Makwanya slotted home the conversion before Tunisia, who had trailed 13-3 at the break hit back with a try from prop Mlise Mohamed early in the second half.

Although Tunisia dominated the match in the second half Zimbabwe still managed to score two more penalties from Makwanya and his replacement Lenience Tambwera, who converted a late penalty just before the final whistle.

Following another win over former champions Kenya in June, the Sables now need to beat the Rugby World Cup-bound Namibians in their last match on August 15 in Windhoek to seal their first Africa Cup title in three years.

Tunisia's defeat confirmed their relegation to the lower tier Africa Cup Group 1B after earlier defeats to Namibia and Kenya in the competition. Endi