Barthes Cup: Zambia thump Côte d'Ivoire to finish 7th

Zambia finally put a win against their name in the Barthes Cup after thumping Côte d'Ivoire 22-8 in the 7th place final staged at the Nyayo National Stadium on Sunday 17 April.

Both teams came into the clash without a victory in the tournament after Cote d'Ivoire lost to Namibia and Uganda while Zambia lost to Madagascar and Tunisia as they both looked to end the tournament on a high.

Côte d'Ivoire had a brilliant start to the game as they plundered a try inside the opening 12 minutes when Abdoul Karembiri crossed the whitewash but the conversion was unsuccessful.

Zambia regained momentum in the encounter and made it a two-point game off the boot of Yasin Waswa for a high tackle on one of his Zambian teammates.

The Southern Africa nation kept the scoreboard ticking with another penalty from Waswa as Côte d'Ivoire were caught offside.

Waswa was having a good day in office as Côte d'Ivoire were being punished for their infringements as they fly half ensured Zambia went into the break with a 9-5 lead.

Côte d'Ivoire had a mirror start to the second half as they were in the ascendency and came to within a point off Zambia after Abdoul Karembiri slotted in a penalty.

The game of fine margins was in play as Zambia again extended their lead off the boot of Waswa who was now responsible for all points that Zambia had put on the scoreboard.

Zambia finally got themselves a try of their own when Redson Lukwesa produced a moment of magic to slot the ball behind the posts for an easy conversion from Waswa to take the scores to 19-8.

The game was put beyond Madagascar in the 32nd minute when Anderson Mwila successfully converted a penalty from just inside the 22 meter line with the angle kind to him as it was in front of the posts with the game ending 22-8.