ZAMBIA 15s RUGBY NATIONAL TEAM GEARS UP FOR 2024 REPACHAGE B TOURNAMENT

The Zambia Rugby 15s national team is currently in camp preparing for the 2024 Rugby Africa Cup - Repechage B in Tunisia between 18 December and 22 December 2024. The Repachage B group comprises Zambia, Ghana, Nigeria and the host Tunisia.

The Zambia National 15s team which is the flag ship team of Zambian rugby will kick start their campaign against Ghana on Wednesday, 18 December 2024 with Tunisia playing against Nigeria on the same date. The winners of either leg will play against each other for first (1st) position whilst the losers will play against each other for the 3rd and 4th position.

The 2024 Rugby Africa Repechage Pool A Tournament was played in Casablanca, Morocco on earlier between November 20 and November 24 at Club Olympique Casablancais (COS). Morocco won the tournament after beating Botswana 64-00 in 1st leg and beat Madagascar 53-37 in the final. Madagascar beat Cameron 33-07 on the way to the final in whilst Botswana emerged 3rd after beating Cameroon 36-10 in the 3rd and 4th playoff.

The winners of the Repachage B will play the winners of Repachage A, Morroco as a qualifier for the 2025 Rugby Africa Cup at a date to be set. The Rugby Africa Cup is a continental rugby union tournament that brings together the top eight rugby nations in Africa.

The Zambia Rugby National team has this year played the Zimbabwe Sables in Harare, Zimbabwe (17 - 19) and Lusaka, Zambia (22 -17). The Copper Eagles have twice come within a hairs breadth of beating the Sables losing by not more than 5 points on both occasions. This is the closest score that the Zambia 15s have had against the Zimbabwe Sables in recent years signifying an improved performance of the Zambia National Rugby 15s team.

The current rankings for the 2024 Rugby Africa Cup are as indicated below with Burkina Faso relegated for the 2025 Rugby Africa Cup and the winners between Morocco and Repachage B seeking promotion.

1.???? Zimbabwe

2.???? Algeria

3.???? Namibia

4.???? Kenya

5.???? Uganda

6.???? Senegal

7.???? C?te d’Ivoire

8.???? Burkina Faso

The boys have been in camp for over a week and jet off on Sunday, 15 December 2024 from KKIA and will be playing the tournament in a new jersey in traditional Zambia rugby colours which has been sponsored by PAUMWAKA Agencies Limited, LOLESKI Investments Limited, TENANSA Investments Limited, and KOFETA industrial Suppliers Ltd.