Chisanga “The Beast” and Mukidza feted for outstanding rugby season

Homeboyz RFC powerhouse Joshua “Reign” Chisanga and Kenya 15’s vice captain Darwin Mukidza have been recognized for their outstanding performance in the 2017 season ahead of next year’s World Cup qualifiers.

The duo is part of the elite 15- man squad which has  been selected in the Africa Gold Team of the Year at an event held on Wednesday evening.

The inaugurals award is a brainchild of rugby journalists drawn from Kenya, Namibia, Uganda and Zimbabwe.

The two are the only Kenyan players who were deemed to have had a stellar season by the rugby writers.

The Kenyan pair clocked 80 minutes in all the test games for the Simba 15’s played without being substituted.

Mukidza will mainly be remembered for his electrifying performance with the national team during the Africa Gold Cup tournament, where he saved a plucky Simba side from the jaws of defeat claiming   hat trick of tries for a 45-26 win against Senegal.

His counterpart, the unrelenting Chisanga, has made several appearances for the national 15’s team and also captained Nairobi based Menengai Cream Homeboyz before joining Premiership side Newcastle Falcons.

The 23 year old, nicknamed the “Beast” due to his habit of brushing off one or two defenders on his way to the try line was at the heart of defence for the national team, with his work rate saving Kenya from conceding tries.

Mukidza’s recognition comes as a consolation after missing the inaugural Sports Personality of the Month (July) Award which went to deaflympian Simon Cherono on Wednesaday .

The “Wokarach brothers” from Uganda, Philip and Michael, who play for Kabras Sugar, a Kenya Cup rugby side, also made it to the final list of the Africa Gold Team.

Namibia, who are the champions of Africa dominated the list producing nine players in the 15- man select side while Uganda has three and Zimbabwe(1).

AFRICA GOLD TEAM

1. Casper Viviers (NAM)
2. Louis van der Westhuizen(Namibia)

3.Brian Odongo(Uganda)

4.Mahepisa Tjeriko(Namibia)

5. Ruan Ludick(Namibia)
6. Rohan Kitshoff(Namibia)
7. Connor Pritchard (Zim)
8. Joshua Chisanga(Kenya)
9. Hilton Mudariki(Zimbabwe)
10. Cliven Loubser(Namibia)
11. David Philander (Namibia)
12. JC Greyling (NAM)
13. Michael Wokorach (Uganda)
14. Darwin Mukidza(Kenya)
15. Philip Wokorach(Uganda)

By Edwin Mbare