The Uganda Rugby Cranes will walk out of the dugout on Saturday last, needing just a bonus point win to finish top of the all the teams in the 2015 Africa Rugby Tier 1B tournament at Kyadondo Rugby Grounds.
Cranes will line up alongside Botswana, seeking more glory after claiming the 2015 Elgon Cup with assistant coach Robert Seguya in charge at Legends Rugby Grounds.
The USPA team of June outfit edged Kenya “A” 30-25 courtesy of Chris Lubanga, Joseph Aredo and Gerald Ssewankambo’s brilliance and the players carried on the performance since winning twice ahead this ender.
New coach John Duncan is targeting his third win with the Cranes to crown an awesome start following a 40-11 routing of Ivory Coast in the Africa Rugby opener and a 35-11 win over Mauritius on day 2.
The coach insists a win is all the side are looking forward to, irrespective of the points and scores. “Our only target is to win. Rugby is a funny game. If you go ahead with scores, you will be shocked,” he told Daily Monitor.
The greatest advantage for the hosts, Uganda is that the team, will get onto the turf, well aware of all the results from the day’s games that will have been played earlier.
Botswana who boast of a blend of experienced campaigners who competed in Division B in 2012 as well as some youngsters, move into this tie after showing resilience on Wednesday, to come form behind, claiming a dramatic 26-21 win over favorites Senegal.
It was coach Ivor Greaves’ first win of the tournament after a 36-18 loss to Madagascar on day one and on match day, the Botswana Vultures are expected look to inspiration Tefho Keothepile, Captain Eddie Ernest and kicker Edward Oostheiuzen as the side intend to dent Uganda’s hopes of qualification.
Cranes are expected to field inform James Odong, Kevin Makmot, Justin Kimono, wing Lawrence Ssebuliba, and vice captain Micheal Wokorach in the squad that will close the tournament, and victory will be all the home fans will be expecting to welcome Tier 1A.
Rugby Cranes Squad: Gerald Ssewankambo, Michael Wokorach, Cyrus Watum, Charles Uhuru, Lawrence Ssebuliba, Davis Kiwalabye, Kevin Makmot, Brian Odongo, Pius Ogena, Scot Oluoch, James Odongo, Alfred Bijik, Chris Lubanga, Martial Tchumcam, Joseph Aredo, John Wandicho, Alex Mubiru, Ronald Musajja, Arthur Mpande, Asuman Mugerwa, Justin Kimono, James Ijongat and Denis Mugambe
2015 Africa Rugby Fixtures, Day 3
Saturday 11 July
Kyadondo Rugby Grounds
Ivory Coast vs Senegal – 12:30pm
Mauritius vs Madagascar – 2:30pm
Uganda vs Botswana – 4:30pm
TABLE STANDINGS
TEAM P W D L PF PA PD Pts
Uganda 2 2 0 0 75 22 53 10
Madagascar 2 2 0 0 66 44 22 9
Senegal 2 1 0 1 63 29 34 6
Botswana 2 1 0 1 44 57 -13 4
Ivory Coast 2 0 0 2 37 70 -33 1
Mauritius 2 0 0 2 14 77 -63 0
