Cameroon progress in World Cup qualifying
Cameroon kick-started their Rugby World Cup 2011 qualifying campaign in positive fashion at the weekend, beating Nigeria 26-6 at the Stade Ahmadou Ahidjo in Mgandena.
The play-off match begun a two year qualifying marathon in the region, with Cameroon now going on to join Tunisia and Kenya in Pool 3 of the 2008 CAR Africa Cup, which begins on 14 June and also serves as the qualifying structure for Africa.
Cameroon led the Nigerians 6-0 after just nine minutes, scrum half Negalev Touko Raphael slotting two penalties, and the score remained the same until three minutes into the second half, when the same man extended the lead with a third penalty.
Nigeria fly half Azeez Ladipo pulled one back moments later before Eba Fouda Paulin scored Cameroon's first try for a 14-3 lead.
Ladipo registered another three-pointer for the Nigerians but further scores from Moaka Louis and Foko Fone Bertrand sealed an impressive win for Cameroon, which sends them on their way to further qualifying exploits against tougher opposition.
Botswana to face Swaziland
On 17 May Botswana will host Swaziland in the play-off for the second available Africa Cup place, the winner joining Uganda and Madagascar in Pool 4.
The use of existing Tournament structures in Africa is a process that has been mirrored across the IRB’s five other regions for Rugby World Cup qualifying (North America & West Indies, South America, Europe, Asia and Oceania) and incorporates successful competitions such as the European Nations Cup and the Asian 5 Nations.
For the first time last year the top three placed teams in each World Cup pool pre-qualified for the 2011 event, meaning that South Africa, England, Tonga, Australia, Fiji, Wales, New Zealand, Scotland, Italy, Argentina, France and Ireland have all already booked their places in New Zealand.
Regional qualifying places for the 2011 Tournament are allocated as follows:
Europe - 2
Americas - 2
Africa - 1
Asia - 1
Oceania - 1
20th place - play-off
