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Kenya, Zimbabwe and host nation Tunisia have come through Africa's regional qualifying tournament in Tunis to qualify for Rugby World Cup Sevens 2009, completing the 24-team men's draw in Dubai next year.

The Kenyans lived up to their billing as favourites by beating Zimbabwe 26-14 in the final, having guaranteed their places in Dubai by overcoming Tunisia and Namibia respectively in the Cup semi finals.

Tunisia, though, bounced back in the third place playoff to defeat Namibia 26-12 and secure the final place at RWC Sevens 2009.

"We have got a great universal spread of teams now for Rugby World Cup Sevens 2009. We have the best of each of the regions. It's been a long road, but now everyone is going to be working towards the Rugby World Cup Sevens in Dubai," said Beth Coalter, RWC Sevens Tournament Director.

The 24 sides to compete in the men's competition are Fiji, New Zealand, England, South Africa, Australia, France, Scotland, Argentina (all automatic qualifiers), Arabian Gulf (Host Union) and regional qualifiers Uruguay, Portugal, Wales, Georgia, Ireland, Italy, Samoa, Tonga, Japan, Hong Kong, USA, Canada, Kenya, Zimbabwe and Tunisia.

The 16 teams to compete in the women's competition in Dubai are Brazil, England, Netherlands, Russia, France, Spain, Italy, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Uganda, Japan, Thailand, China, USA and Canada.

Kenya, Zimbabwe and hosts Tunisia secured the three qualification places on offer at the Africa region qualifier on Saturday to complete the 24-team men's line up at Rugby World Cup Sevens 2009.

Kenya, a 'core' team on the IRB Sevens World Series, had guaranteed their qualification by beating hosts Tunisia 22-12 in the first Cup semi final before Zimbabwe overcame Namibia 29-10.

That left Tunisia and Namibia to battle it out for the one remaining ticket to Dubai in the third place playoff, the host nation coming through with a 26-12 victory to spark excited celebrations from the team in Tunis.

Namibia's efforts in beating Uganda 27-19 in a hard fought Pool B game earlier in the day that confirmed their place in the Cup semi finals, ultimately took its tool as their RWC Sevens 2009 dreams ended.

Madagascar won the Plate final to finish fifth overall, avenging a slender 21-20 loss to Zambia on day one to triumph 17-7, having early given eventual runners up Zimbabwe a scare with a 13-12 loss.

Seventh place went to Uganda, who bounced back from the disappointment at missing out on the Cup semi finals and the chance to join their women's team at RWC Sevens 2009 with a 19-12 victory.

"It was an exciting day's rugby and the standard of rugby compared to 2005 has increased considerably," said Coalter. "In the final between Kenya and Zimbabwe it wasn't until the second half that Kenya broke away.

"Namibia and Uganda was a very hard fought game and Madagascar have been a real joy to watch, they were so enthusiastic and if they had had longer to prepare then they would have been a bigger threat.

"If you'd seen the Tunisians when they got through you would have thought they'd won the World Cup they were so excited. I think having the whole thought of getting into a Rugby World Cup means so much to these teams.

Day Two Results:

Plate semi-inal - Uganda 12-26 Namibia
Plate semi-inal - Zambia 17-0 Senegal
Cup semi-inal - Kenya 22-12 Tunisia
Cup semi-inal - Zimbabwe 29-10 Namibia
Seventh place playoff - Uganda 19-12 Senegal
Plate final - Madagascar 17-7 Zambia
Third place playoff - Tunisia 26-12 Namibia
Final - Kenya 26-14 Zimbabwe

Final ranking:

1. Kenya (RWC Sevens qualifier)
2. Zimbabwe (RWC Sevens qualifier)
3. Tunisia (RWC Sevens qualifier)
4. Namibia
5. Madagascar
6. Zambia
7. Uganda
8. Senegal
9. Botswana