The Simbas retained the men’s Elgon Cup 40-34 on aggregate after defeating Uganda 20-13 in the return match at the Jomo Kenyatta International Stadium in Kisumu on Saturday 11 November 2023.
They started the match on a high, going ahead through Jone Kubu’s penalty before Elkeans Musonye grounded the ball off the back of a rolling maul, Kubu converting for a 10-0 lead after 12 minutes of play.
Just as it was in the reverse fixture in Kampala a week ago, Uganda grew into the game, seeing more territory and possession as they forced the Simbas into a series of errors.
Captain Ivan Magomu would drill home a penalty for a 10-3 score at the break.
Kubu then scored a second try for the Simbas after the restart, his change of direction in possession breaching the Ugandan defensive line, racing clear to score and convert his own try, the Simbas looking comfortable at 17-3 up.
Liam Walker, on as a second half replacement for Alhajji Manano, drilled home Uganda’s second penalty for a 17-6 score before Magomu’s clever kick pass was fielded by Timothy Kisiga who touched, Walker converting for a 17-13 score, anxious moments heading into the final fifteen minutes.
Uganda kept Kenya on the backfoot, Walker’s third kick at the Kenyan goal was wide, the fourth bouncing off the posts as the game remained finely poised.
Kubu would then drill home a penalty to put the Simbas 20-13 ahead for the rest of the match.
