Elgon Cup: Uganda 16-34 Kenya
The sweeping changes in the Uganda Rugby Cranes playing staff will require some time before head coach John Duncan and his assistant Robert Seguya can rediscover the team’s groove.
The 16-34 loss to the Kenya Simbas in the first leg of the Elgon Cup on Saturday may not tell the exact story as the score line looks more respectable than the performance.
All the experiments made on the day didn’t seem to work. Nathan Bwambale and Edgar Pajob, were handed their debuts at front but row couldn’t last 40 minutes and were hurled off in the first thirty minutes.
Scrumhalf Ivan Kirabo followed them to the bench and Aaron Ofoyrwoth came on, only to be sent to the sin bin for infringement later on.
The visitors made their intentions from the word go. They were here to destroy their younger brothers.
Tries from Jacob Ojee, Leo Seje and Oliver Mangeni ensured there was no contest early in the game as Ivan Magomu’s three penalties left Uganda trailing 9-24 at the switch of sides.
While Duncan struggles to arrange his house, Kenya, under the tutelage of New Zealand coach Ian Snook, seem to be taking the All Blacks blueprint.
They moved the ball and played an expansive game that left the Cranes’ midfield torn apart.
New skipper Asuman Mugerwa would later on go over for Uganda’s sole try before second half substitute Biko Adema responded to ensure Uganda took their thoughts off winning this year’s cup when the two meet in Nairobi.
Having not won the Elgon Cup since 2015, Uganda look like they will wait longer before winning their next in the annual clash.
With the trial games against the Cheetahs called off, Duncan will have to find a way of rebuilding the team’s confidence before going into this year’s Rugby Africa Gold Cup.
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