John Duncan was on the Rugby Cranes technical bench as Uganda defeated Kenya 30-25 on the day and 47-45 on aggregate to win the Elgon Cup since 2012. He didn’t know that much about the team and took a back seat as assistants Robert Sseguya and Anthony Kinene took charge.
As Uganda prepares for the Rugby Africa Tier 1B tournament that starts this Sunday at Kyadondo, Duncan will surely be the man in charge. With qualification to Africa Tier 1A at stake, Duncan has confessed the amount of hunger he as sees in the team for time he has handled their training sessions.
For a country where the game is still at amateur level, it’s encouraging to see players rushing from work and school just to fight for a place on the team. There is too much hunger and you can see it in the players and the technical team. Everyone wants to get that Tier A promotion
Duncan told www.monitor.co.ug on Monday.
Because of that starvation, Duncan has also been a witness to the massive development the team is making.
I have seen vast improvement since I began working with the team, I am impressed with how fast they are learning some of the new things
Duncan took over from fellow South African, Johannes Beukes who resigned and returned home.
Uganda will battle Botswana, Madagascar, Ivory Coast, Senegal and Mauritius from July 5 to 11 for just one slot to the Africa Rugby Tier 1A.
The team that finishes last at the end of the championship will get relegated to Tier 1C. The Brian Odong captained side will open the campaign on Sunday against Ivory Coast, the latter won 22-19 last year at the Tier 1A qualifiers in Tunisia.
AFRICA RUGBY CUP 1B
Pool A: Uganda, Madagascar, Senegal
Pool B: Ivory Coast, Mauritius, Botswana
Tournament fixtures
July 5
Madagascar v Botswana
Uganda v Ivory Coast
Mauritius v Senegal
Uganda Rugby Cranes squad: Brian Odongo (Captain) Michael Wokorach (Vice Captain), Cyrus Watum, Charles Uhuru, Lawrence Ssebuliba, Davis Kiwalabye, Kevin Makmot, , Pius Ogena, Scot Oluoch, James Odongo, Alfred Bijik, Chris Lubanga, Martial Tchumcam and Joseph Aredo, John Wandicho, Alex Mubiru, Ronald Musajja, Arthur Mpande, Asuman Mugerwa, Justin Kimono, James Ijongat and Denis Mugambe, Gerald Ssewankambo.
Officials: John Duncan (Coach), Robert Sseguya (assistant) Anthony Kinene (Assistant), Brian Tabaruka (Team manager) Benjamin Noah (Physiotherapist), Joseph Kalanzi (Doctor) and Herbert Wafula (Technical Advisor).
