Africa Cup Sevens
Final
Uganda 10-7 Zimbabwe
For the second year running, the Uganda Rugby Cranes are the champions of Africa.
The National rugby sevens team lifted the African championship after a 10-7 win over Zimbabwe in the final at Legends Rugby Club, Kampala. Tolbert Onyango's charges dominated their opponents from day one of the two-day event and only had Zimbabwe put up a fight against them.
The final didn't start as planned for the home side as Zimbabwe were awarded a penalty try after Pius Ogena's infringement. Ogena was sent to the sin bin and Uganda had to negotiate the first two minutes of second period with a man down. With the Zimbabweans dominating the physical battle, Uganda couldn't cope every time the ball went into contact. It took the brilliance of James Odong to open up the Zimbabwean line and score from a solo effort. Philip Wokorach, kept in check throughout the game, couldn't convert and Uganda trailed 5-7 deep in the game.
With six seconds left on the clock, Betway Kobs’ scrumhalf Adrian Kasiito fed off a Michael Wokorach offload after several phases to cross the white line and give Uganda the lead. Phillip Wokorach missed the conversion but it didn't matter as there was no more time left. "It was a physical game and it was tough for us but the boys did what they had to do," Onyango revealed at the end of the game.
The victory will see Uganda play at the Sevens World Cup in San Francisco next year. They will also play at the Common Wealth Games and the Cape Town and Dubai Sevens series of the HSBC Sevens. The side will also feature at the Hong Kong Sevens in search of gaining core status in the world rugby sevens. Despite the loss, Zimbabwe will also feature at the world cup alongside Uganda and Kenya as African representatives.