The Uganda Rugby Cranes have a chance of retaining the Africa Sevens Championship that gets underway Friday 6th October at Legends Rugby Club.
Head coach Tolbert Onyango named his squad Wednesday with Betway Kobs trio of Joseph Aredo, James Ijongat and Adrian Kasiito included in the 12-man team. Uganda won the Africa Cup after defeating Namibia in the final last year in Nairobi and, now playing on home soil, there will be pressure to deliver. "We are ready to fight and defend the championship," team captain Eric Kasiita revealed after the team's return from the OctoberFest in Germany.
Onyango's charges are pooled in group A with Tunisia, Morocco, Zambia and Ghana. Madagascar, Zimbabwe, Senegal, Botswana and Mauritius are the other teams and will be in pool B. With both Kenya and Namibia not coming for the tournament, Uganda will be one of the pre-tournament favourites. Team Uganda's preparations were dealt a big blow after three players decided to disappear in Germany after the OctoberFest. Ramathan Govule, who has been a mainstay of the team, Brian Kikaawa and Fred Odour escaped from camp and didn't return with the team.
Team Uganda:
Eric Kasiita
Micheal Wokorach
Philip Wokorach
Adrian Kasiito
Kevin Keremundu
James Odong
Lawrence sebuliba
Byron Oketayot
Solomon Okia
Pius Ogena
Joseph Aredo
James Ijongat
Pool A: Uganda, Tunisia, Morocco, Zambia and Ghana
Pool B: Madagascar, Zimbabwe, Senegal, Botswana and Mauritius