Rugby Cranes captain Brian Odongo has revealed that indiscipline was one of the key causes of team’s 23-18 loss to rivals Kenya Simbas in the first leg of the Elgon Cup played at Legends Rugby grounds, Kampala on Saturday.
Uganda recovered from an early 10-00 deficit to go into the half time break with an 18-10 lead but dismally collapsed in the final stages of the game to fall to their neighbours. Martin Owila crossed the white wash just after the break and Kenyan skipper Darwin Mukidza converted to get the visitors within 1 point of their opponents. Mukidza then added two late penalties to ensure Kenya returned home with a five point cushion ahead of the return leg that will be held on June 24 at the RFUEA Grounds in Nairobi.
Marvin Odongo and James Odongo scored Uganda’s two tries on the day. "The game was tight, I must say discipline let us down giving away a few points here and there through penalties and also the yellow cards," Odongo revealed after the game. "We played 60 minutes with 15 (players) and 20 minutes down with 14. It is something we need to work on. In internationals, it is a thin line between winning and losing,” he added. The skipper, however, says all hope of winning the cup is not lost for his side and pointed out on the key areas the Rugby Cranes will have to work on ahead of the second and final leg.
Kenya are the defending champions and cruised to the title last year when they pummeled their opponents 93-35 on aggregate. While Odong knows the second leg won't be a walk in the park for John Duncan’s charges, he is confident they can replicate their 2015 heroics and grab the cup they last won in 2015. "In Nairobi, of course we need to keep the ball more and we have to work on our composure, to be calm and relaxed when attacking,”
Odongo also wants Uganda to keep Kenya out of their comfort zone of playing a very fast and wide game. The return leg holds even more meaning for the two sides as it will double as their first game in this year’s Africa Gold Cup. "We were prepared this year and we have had enough time to work hard. The key thing this year is to finish within the top two,”
Uganda will play three home games in their bid to clinch the Africa Gold Cup. Namibia, Tuniasia and Zimbabwe will all make trips to Kampala while Uganda will only travel to Kenya and Senegal. “We have three home games and we will try to win all those.” Odongo noted. The Rugby Cranes have not had time to rest and are already back in training ahead of the June 24 clash with Kenya.