The HSBC world series kickoff Friday morning and the Uganda Rugby Cranes will be facing off with giants South Africa in an early morning clash.
Pooled in group A Alongside South Africa, Canada and neighbors Kenya, Tolbert Onyango's charges will have another chance to showcase their exploits at the big stage. "We want to compete with the best and this presents a very good chance," team captain Eric Kasiita revealed before the team departed for Dubai early this week. Head coach of Uganda's team Tolbert Onyango named his final squad for the event with familiar faces keeping their slots while a few new faces also got the nod. Veteran Timothy Mudoola will make a return to the world stage for the first time in over five years. His presence provides Onyango a forward with the credentials to feature at the wing in the short version of the game.
In the absence of Lawrence Ssebuliba, Mudoola will fill the void with his pace, game reading and defence. Mudoola's experience is the other factor expected to come in handy in a team predominantly made of youngsters. "The team was selected with a mixture of youth and experience as we plan and strategize for the World Cup and Commonwealth Games next year," Onyango said of his selection. James Ijongat, Joseph Aredo, Aaron Ofoyrwoth and Desire Ruhweza will all be making their HSBC debuts in Dubai.Adrian Kasiito and Timothy Kisiga all miss out on the event because of exams.
From Dubai, the Cranes will head straight to South Africa for the Cape Town sevens. The other teams that will feature at the Dubai Sevens include England, Scotland, France, Spain, Fiji, Australia, Wales, Japan, New Zealand, USA, Argentina and Samoa. This will be Uganda's second appearance at the Dubai Sevens after losing to South Africa, Scotland and the United States in their maiden appearance last year.
Squad
Eric Samuel Kasiita (Captain), James Odongo, Pius Ogena, Kevin Kermundu, Phillip Wokorach Phillip, Micheal Okorach, Solomon Okia, Aredo Joseph Jadwong, Aaron Ofoyrwoth, Aloysious Ruhweza-Ayera, James Ijongat, and Timothy Muwumba Mudoola.
Dubai 7s fixtures
Day one, Friday, December 1
8am USA vs Argentina
8.22am New Zealand vs Samoa
8.44am Australia vs Wales
9.06am Fiji vs Russia
9.30am Canada vs Kenya
9.52am South Africa vs Uganda
10.14am Scotland vs France
10.36am England vs Spain
11.00am USA vs Samoa
11.22am New Zealand vs Argentina
11.44am Australia vs Russia
12.06pm Fiji vs Wales
1.14pm Canada vs Uganda
1.36pm South Africa vs Kenya
1.58pm Scotland vs Spain
2.20pm England vs France
5pm Argentina vs Samoa
5.22pm New Zealand vs USA
5.44pm Wales vs Russia
6.06pm Fiji vs Australia
6.31pm Kenya vs Uganda
6.53pm South Africa vs Canada
7.15pm France vs Spain
7.37pm England vs Scotland