The Algerian rugby team (seniors/men) won 3rd place in the final standings of the 2022 African Cup of Nations, due to end this Sunday evening in the South of France, after its victory (20-12) against Zimbabwe, in the small final, played at the Maurice-David stadium in Aix-en-Provence.
Things had started badly for the “2 Lions”, who were trailing (9-8) at the end of the first half, but they recovered very well after the break and managed an excellent second set, during which they scored twelve additional points, thus overthrowing their opponent, who for his part could only add one penalty (note, 3 pts).
The small Algeria-Zimbabwe final was preceded by two other classification matches (5th-8th places). Uganda edged Ivory Coast (18-17) in the duel for 7th place, while Senegal outclassed Burkina Faso (44-30) in the fight for 5th place.
The final of the tournament will oppose Namibia to Kenya, this Sunday evening, also at the Stade d’Aix-en-Provence. In addition to the continental title, the winner of this confrontation will qualify for the next Rugby World Cup, scheduled from September 8 to October 21, 2023, in France.
Indeed, this African Cup of Nations was a qualifying event for the next World Cup, where the winner will appear in pool “A”, along with New Zealand, three-time world champion, France, the host country, Italy and Uruguay.
For his part, the unfortunate finalist will not have lost everything, since he will have one last chance to qualify for the World Cup. It will be via a repechage tournament, scheduled for next November, and which will bring together three other teams, in this case: Portugal, as well as the finalist of the “Americas 2” play-off (Chile or United States), and that of the Asia/Pacific dam (Tonga, South Korea or Hong Kong).
The winner of this repechage will join pool “C” of the World Cup-2023, alongside Wales, Australia, Fiji and Georgia.