Togo qualifies for Africa inter-zones rugby tournament

Obuasi, July 31, GNA - Togo on Saturday beat Ghana's national Under-18 Rugby team, the Golden Eagles 34-3 in the final match to emerge champions of the Confederation of Africa Rugby (CAR) Under-18 Northern Zone II tournament at the Obuasi Ofori Stadium.

The Togolese, by this feat will represent the zone in the Africa inter-zones tournament next year to be decided by the International Rugby Board (IRB) and CAR, who supervised the tournament at a venue yet to be decided.

The Akosombo Texiles Limited (ATL) and Experienced Student Travels (EST) who co-sponsored the tournament gave each player of the two finalists, a piece of wax print whiles the Ghana Rugby Association which hosted the tournament also gave them souvenirs.

The finals of the competition turned out to be a straight contest between Ghana and Togo after Nigeria and Cameroon had pulled out with the visitors spanking the Golden Eagles 48-3 in the opening match last Thursday.

The Ghanaians found it difficult to redeem their image even with their massive home support as Togo, which was equally determined to carry the day raided the back-line of the host with aggression and consistent try scoring.

The strategy adopted by the champions worked to perfection as the last 20 minutes of the first half saw them thrashing their counterpart 29-0.

The Golden Eagles who were demoralised with the heavy score line in the first half, abandoned their defensive tactics in the second half and went all out but it was the champions who still had the upper hand in the exchanges to end the match 34-3 in their favour.