Ahead of the Rugby Cranes’ tie with Tunisia this Saturday, head coach John Duncan and his assistant Robert Seguya will choose to experiment new combinations, that is if one is to go by the team selected to do the job. A new half back pairing, new-look back row and the return to the Justin Kimono to the sick bay highlight the 23-man squad named for Uganda’s third game of the Africa Gold Cup.
Philip Wokorach had been switched to fly half to rest Ivan Magomu but the injury to Kimono means the Kabras Sugar back will retain his number fifteen shirt. Magomu returns to the team to pair up with Aaron Ofoyrwoth in a new-look half back setup. Ofoyrwoth will get a second chance after blundering on his debut against Kenya on June 10 replaces Ivan Makmot at scrumhalf.
With Scot Oluoch and Marvin Odongo out with work and school commitments respectively, the Rugby Cranes will feature Brian Asaba and Ronald Musajjagulanyago at back row with Byron Oketayot returning to the starting team at number six. Winger Kimono had been lined up to make his first start since returning from a lengthy knee injury but pulled a hamstring on Wednesday. James Odong, who had been selected at full back, will now retain his blind wing position.
Makmot will drop to the bench while Joseph Tamale, Santos Senteza and Mike Otto will all make their debuts from the bench on the day. Solomon Okia, who had not made the match day squad, will make the bench to fill the gap left by Kimono. Uganda is third on the log with 6 points, a point behind second placed Kenya and 4 behind log leaders Namibia.
The Cranes have scored five tries so far and will have to score more if they are to challenge for the championship with Namibia and Kenya.
Probable lineup
- Asuman Mugerwa
- Alex Mubiru
- Brian Odongo
- Charles Uhuru
- Mathias Ochwo
- Byron Oketayot
- Brian Asaba
- Ronald Musajjagulanyago
- Aaron Ofoyrwoth
- Ivan Magomu
- James Odong
- Pius Ogena
- Michael Wokorach
- Lawrence Sebuliba
- Philip Wokorach
Replacements
- Joseph Tamale
- Santos Senteza
- Adnan Mutebi
- Mike Otto
- Cox Muhigwa
- Ivan Makmot
- Solomon Okia
- Gerald Ssewankambo