Rugby Africa Tier 1A: Zimbabwe 27-34 Uganda
Uganda Rugby Cranes have drawn closer to securing the ticket to be part of Africa’s top elite rugby teams for another year after beating Zimbabwe in Harare, 27-34.
FT. Zimbabwe 27 – 34 Uganda #AfricaCup1A #AfricaRugby #Tier1A
— Kawowo Sports (@kawowosports) July 23, 2016
Cranes seriously needed this victory to revive their hopes of stay in Tier 1A, following losses to Kenya, in the 2016 Elgon Cup (10-48) and Namibia (31-40) despite a brilliant show at Kyadondo Rugby Grounds.
Oscar Kalyango, Lawrence Ssebuliba, Marvin Odongo, Phillip Wokorach and Asuman Mugerwa touched for the pearl as the nation truly revenged their back to back upsets.
Zimbabwe made eight changes to their squad ahead of the clash. Joshua Gando, Lucky Sithole, Ernest Mudzengerere, Tolerance Zishe, David Makanda, Manasah Sita and Royal Mwale were all dropped.
Uganda led with an opening penalty in the first half, before Zimbabwe launched a comeback with two successfully converted tries at Police Grounds.
The visitors regained the lead with two tries in succession too, to make a 14-15 score by half time.
Zimbabwe started the second half on a good note with two penalties good, but Cranes did not look back, disciplining the hosts with two tries, one converted.
Zimbabwe leveled the scores at 27-27 despite Uganda’s comeback, but all went down the drain when John Duncan’s men spearheaded by man of the match Brian Odong, scored under the posts for a 27-34 full time score.