Betway Kobs winger Justin Kimono will start against Zimbabwe on Saturday after recovering from a hamstring injury.
Kimono was named to start against Tunisia last month but pulled his hamstring the next day to rule himself out for two weeks. He has, however, recovered in time for the final piece of action in the Africa Gold Cup and will get his first start of the campaign.
In the team named on Tuesday, Kimono was handed the number 14 jersey that has previously belonged to Lawrence Sebuliba this season. Sebuliba will now switch to the blind side of the pitch where James Odong and Solomon Okia have been featuring.
Kimono sat out for close to two years and when he returned to action, it was always going to be tough to break into the starting team.
He came off the bench against Kenya and Senegal before a hamstring injury denied him a start in the game against Tunisia. It looked like Kimono’s season had ended after that injury but the speed merchant has recovered in time to relive his Rugby Cranes memories in a clash at Legends on Saturday.
Uganda is one of the four other countries yet to complete their fixtures in the Gold Cup alongside Zimbabwe, Tunisia and Senegal. Head coach John Duncan and his assistant Robert Sseguya named the 23-man squad that will feature off with the Zimbabwe Sables over the weekend.
Among other changes made to the team, Philip Wokorach is set to start at number 10 with Ivan Magomu’s lack of full fitness only getting him a place on the bench. James Odong, who has featured at 11 all season, will play at 15 while Aaron Ofoyrwoth retains his number 9 jersey.
It is the final game for the home side and a win will be paramount. Uganda has so far drawn with Kenya, defeated Senegal and Tunisia before falling to Namibia in front of the home crowd.
The Rugby Cranes are third on the six-team log but cannot dislodge second placed Kenya.