Ismail Dhakaba Kigongo
12 June 2011
Kampala — Rugby Cranes once flattered with becoming the best associate team in Africa. Since winning the Africa Cup in 2007, the script has read a detestable decline.
That has rushed Uganda from crème de la crème in Africa Cup Group 1A to 1B where they will today start a relatively short road to get back up. Uganda face Zimbabwe at Kyadondo rugby grounds in the opening game of Group 1B which also includes Madagascar with the winner of the round-robin event getting promoted.
High tempo
It is a rematch from last year’s Elgon/Victoria Cup clash which Uganda won 25-15 through tries from Brian Odong, Michael Wokorach and Timothy Mudoola.
All three are still part of the team. Head coach Yayiro Musisi Kasasa, a spectator on the day with Kenyan Ham Onsando in charge at the time, still picked a few notes. “They are a very good team which play at a very high tempo and spread the ball well because of their sevens background,” Kasasa told Sunday Monitor.
Only five members survive from the Sables’ team Uganda beat at Kampala RFC with the southerners going for lots of professionals and semi-pros. “I think they have improved now,” Kasasa warned. While he banks on the try-scoring trio doing a repeat and much more, fans can refer to a brilliant past.
Triumphs over Namibia and Ivory Coast plus a close loss to Morocco, all of whom were packed with pros, over the past five years show that Uganda can match anyone. There are no radical changes to Rugby Cranes save for handing wing Justin Kimono, 19, his debut.
Often accustomed to slow starts, half backs Allan Matsiko and Benon Kiiza can shed this to get the new centre pairing of Tony Luggya and Michael Wokorach going. Flanker Mathias Ochwo will lead the team for a second successive year with his deputy Mudoola starting on the bench. Zimbabwe are relishing the challenge too. “We came here to win two games and get promoted,” forward Daniel Hondo, the visiting skipper, said.
Starting 15: Simon Wakabi, Justin Kimono, Michael Wokorach, Tony Luggya, Jonathan Onen, Benon Kiiza,
Allan Matsiko, Scot Oluoch, Mathias Ochwo, Robert Seguya, Ronald Mwisaka, Romano Ogwal, Brian
Odong, Alex Mubiru, Ronald Adigasi
Reserves: A. Mukama, D. Mugambe, S. Mawanda, T. Kabonero, S. Ogwete, A. Olweny, B. Kikawa, E. Kingasia, T. Mudoola, D. Etuket
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Uganda v Zimbabwe (KYRFC)
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