Zimbabwe were able to dethrone Namibia in the Africa Rugby Cup at the tournament held in Uganda.
By winning the 2024 edition, the Sables brought an end to the Welwitchias’ dominance that had lasted for over a decade.
Before this year, Namibia had won the continental’s most prestigious trophy six times consecutively in 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2022.
They are also the record holders of the competition with nine titles to their name. The other three came in 2002, 2004, and 2009.
Zimbabwe should be proud of themselves because they were directly involved in ending Namibia’s dictatorship.
The Sables picked up a famous victory over old foes 32-10 in the semifinals, the first in 23 years.
2001 was the last time the Sables defeated the Welwitchias when they edged them 27-26.
Piet Benade’s 15s mauled Algeria 29-3 in a one-sided affair final at the Mandela National Stadium, Namboole, on Sunday.
It was their second AFCON triumph after their maiden in 2012.
As Algeria took home the silver medal, Namibia settled for bronze after defeating the Kenya Simbas 38-27 in the third-place playoff final.
The hosts, Uganda, needed sudden death to edge Senegal 34-31 thanks to Joseph Aredo’s penalty to finish fifth.
Earlier in the day, Ivory Coast relegated Burkina Faso 23-10 to return to Abidjan as the seventh-placed team at this year’s AFCON.
