The Zimbabwe Under-20 got the start they were looking for with a win over Kenya on the opening day of the Junior Africa Cup in Windhoek, Namibia on Thursday evening.

But the big question is whether the Bob Mahari coached side will get a win where it matters the most.

The Young Sables came from behind to grab a close 27-26 win over the East Africans and 17 minutes into the game they trailed 0-6, Kenya having surged ahead after two converted penalties.

The two teams went on to interchange the lead twice, before Zimbabwe took charge on the third occasion three times.

Zimbabwe’s win comprised of two tries, one of them converted and five penalties while Kenya’s points tally was made up of three tries, one of the converted and three penalties but that was not enough to overpower Zimbabwe.

Largely a kicking game, a total of eight penalties passed through the sticks but Kenya were largely let down by their poor kicking as they failed to nail two conversions – and these counted in Zimbabwe’s close escape.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="in" dir="ltr">Final score - Zim 27, Kenya 26 <a href="https://twitter.com/kyrossports">@kyrossports</a></p>&mdash; Zimbabwe Rugby (@zimbabwerugby) <a href="https://twitter.com/zimbabwerugby/status/768472561680351232">August 24, 2016</a></blockquote>

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Going into the break, the Young Sables were 15-1 leaders and it was after this point that they bever let go of their lead and towards the end of the game they led by as much as eight points before Kenya added a converted try – too little too late.

And this means the Young Sable will take on Namibia in the final on Saturday.

However, Namibia are not an easy team and their 64-0 thumping of Tunisia should be taen as a serious warning by their neighbours who need nothing short of a victory if they are to take part at next year’s World Rugby Under-20 Trophy.

Over the last five years Namibia have ascertained their dominance over the Young Sables and last year the two sides had to be separated by a late extra-time try by the tourists at St George’s College.

Then Brandon Brider was the coach while Mahari was his assistant, but the latter hopes for better fortunes come Saturday.