Africa Gold Cup
Kenya vs. Uganda-4pm, Nairobi
The Rugby Cranes will on Saturday face off with their rivals the Kenya Simbas in the first game of the Africa Gold Cup.
The clash in Nairobi in Nairobi carries heavier impact than the first leg of the Elgon Cup played in Kampala a fortnight ago. It will act as the return leg of the Elgon Cup and also an African Championship tie. The last win for the Cranes on Kenyan soil was in 2013 when wingers Bishop Onen and Justin Kimono spurred Uganda to rare 17-16 victory at the RFUEA grounds.
Last year, the Cranes put up a commendable show in the first half before dismally collapsing in the second to fall 45-24 and lose the Elgon Cup and also their last game in the Africa competition. Former Rugby Cranes skipper Mathias Ochwo has been recalled to the team and will feature for the first time since 2015. His return will see Robert Aziku making way for the veteran at lock
For Uganda to claim the Elgon Cup, a win of more than five points will be enough but the attention will be on winning the game first before thinking about the margins. “We want to win the game and that is what we shall be playing for,” head coach John Duncan revealed before the team left for Nairobi on Thursday. Duncan’s assistant Robert Sseguya believes the win is there for the Rugby Cranes to pick if they are “Patient and composed” throughout the eighty minutes.
The Cranes were punished by the Simbas for every mistake committed in Kampala and will have to reduce on the errors in Nairobi. All the points conceded on June 10 were a result of clumsy mistakes that must be avoided on the road. “Simple mistakes cost us but we have tried to work on them,” Eighth man Marvin Odongo, who scored one of Uganda’s two tries, revealed ahead of the clash.
Uganda played 60 of the 80 minutes of the game with a man down following yellow cards to Odongo and Aaron Ofoyrwoth. Philip Wokorach gave away a try early in the first half before conceding a penalty late in the second half. The only change made to the team that played on June 10 will see Ochwo pairing up with Charles Uhuru in the second row.
Being a far much better ball carrier than the rookie who played at 4 in Kampala, Ochwo gives the Cranes options on how to gain territory against a well-organized Kenyan side. The midfield pairing of Pius Ogena and Michael Okorach gave Uganda cover in defence but was mute on offence. The only time Ivan Magomu fed James Odong at the blind wing, Uganda scored their second try of the game and more of such will hand the team a chance in Nairobi.
Probable line up
Asuman Mugerwa, Alex Mubiru, Brian Odongo, Mathias Ochwo, Charles Uhuru, Brian Asaba, Scot Oluoch, Marvin Odongo, Ivan Kirabo, Ivan Magomu, James Odongo, Pius Ogena, Michael Okorach, Lawrence Ssebuliba and Philip Wokorach