At 11.22am on Tuesday morning, Rugby Cranes assistant coach Robert Sseguya delivered what would be good and bad news to his players on their whatsapp group.
It was good news to the likes of Adinan Mutebi, Aaron Ofoyrwoth and Robert Aziku who confirmed that they would feature for the senior team for the first time in their careers.
However, for other players like Ronald Musajjagulanyago, James Ijongat, John Wandicho and Ramathan Govule, the news wasn’t appealing at all as they were left out of the final 23 for the first leg of the Elgon Cup set for Saturday at Legends Rugby Grounds.
Of the 23 players named, nine were not part of the team that managed to stay in tier 1A of African rugby.
Of those nine, six are looking to make their debuts for the 2007 Africa champions.
Veterans Alex Mubiru and Scot Oluoch have both made a return to the team alongside winger Justin Kimono.
Robert Aziku, Musa Muwonge, Adinan Mutebi, Ivan Kirabo, Aaron Ofoyrwoth and Eric Mula are the other faces to have broken into the final team and will be hoping run on for the first time.
Ivan Kirabo, plying his trade for Kabras in Kenya, and Aziku, who features for Rhinos are both set to start the game on Saturday.
Among those who didn’t survive the sharp knife are former Rugby Cranes captain Mathias Ochwo, Gerald Ssewankambo, half back pairing of Kevin Makmot and Chris Lubanga, Ramathan Govule and James Ijongat.
Sseguya, however, revealed that no one has a permanent slot on the team and all the 17 dropped have a chance of playing in the Africa Cup.
Uganda will take on Kenya on Saturday and the opponents are expected in the country on Thursday.
Kenya pummeled Uganda 48-10 in the last encounter played at Legends Rugby Grounds.
Selected players
Asuman Mugerwa
Alex Mubiru Brian
Odongo Charles Uhuru
Robert Aziku
Brian Asaba
Scot Oluoch
Marvin Odongo
Ivan Kirabo
Ivan Magomu
James Odong
Pius Ogena
Micheal Wokorach
Lawrence Sebuliba
Philip Wokorach
Syrus Watum
Collin Kimbowa
Adnan Mutebi
Byron Oketayot
Musa Muwonge
Aaron Ofoyrwoth
Justin Kimono
Eric Mula