- Africa Gold Cup
- Kenya vs. Uganda – 4pm, Nairobi
The last time the Rugby Cranes won a game on Kenyan soil, players like Ivan Magomu, Philip Wokorach and Ivan Kirabo were only getting used to rubbing shoulders with the big boys in the local league.
The year was 2013 and Uganda, inspired by wingers Bishop Onen and Justin Kimono, left it late with a rare 17-16 victory at the RFUEA grounds, the venue for tomorrow’s clash.
With last year’s second half collapse that saw Uganda dismally ship in tries in the second half in mind, it is the time to revoke the memories of 2013 in quest for a first win in Nairobi in nearly four years.
Former Rugby Cranes skipper Mathias Ochwo makes a return to the team having been out since 2015 and it is his, and other senior players’ experience on which the coaches expect the team to ride en-route to a much needed win.
It is Uganda’s first game in this year’s Africa Gold Cup but also acts as the return leg of the Elgon Cup in which John Duncan’s charges trail by five points.
A win of more than five points will hand Uganda the cup they last won in 2015.
“Patience and composure,” assistant coach Robert Sseguya simply put it when asked about what his team need to do to get a win at Ngong Road.
The former Rugby Cranes international termed the team’s game plan as “mature approach” before the side flew to the Kenyan capital.
While many were left disappointed in Uganda falling 18-23 to the Kenya Simbas in the first leg of the Elgon Cup a fortnight ago in Kampala, there was a tremendous improvement on the side of the Rugby Cranes.
All the points conceded on June 10 were a result of clumsy mistakes that must be avoided on the road.
“Simple mistakes cost us and we have to be alert this time round,” Marvin Odongo, who scored one of Uganda’s two tries but had to sit in the sin bin, revealed.
For twenty of the eighty minutes, Uganda played with a man down following yellow cards to Odong and debutant Aaron Ofoyrwoth.
Kenya were effective and punished Uganda for every mistake made.
Philip Wokorach gave away a try in the first half when he tried to play in his 22 before giving away a penalty late in the second half.
It is such mistakes that have to be limited away from home.
The team will fly straight to Senegal Sunday morning ahead of their second and last away game this campaign.
Ochwo back
Having been part of the team that won the Africa Cup in 2007, Mathias Ochwo needs no introduction in Ugandan rugby.
He will replace Robert Aziku at lock where he will partner Charles Uhuru in the second row.
His leadership skills and seniority will give the team a boost especially in the line outs where the Rugby Cranes faltered several times two weeks ago.
“He brings experience to the side and gives confidence to the team,” team captain Brian Odongo said of Ochwo’s return.
Ochwo will be the only change made to the team that started in Kampala with the rest of the players keeping their places.
Being a far much better ball carrier that the rookie who played at 4 in Kampala, Ochwo gives the Cranes options on how to gain territory against a well organized Kenyan side.
Defensive back line
Uganda’s back line only gets into action when the team is defending.
Trust a team coached by Sseguya to go for the contact game.
The midfield pairing of Pius Ogena and Michael Okorach gave Uganda cover in defence but was mute on offence.
The half backs chose to feed the bigs off the break downs and that negated the backline’s functionality going forward.
The only time Ivan Magomu fed James Odong at the blind wing, Uganda scored their second try of the game and more of such will hand the team a chance in Nairobi.
Probable line up
- Asuman Mugerwa
- Alex Mubiru
- Brian Odongo
- Mathias Ochwo
- Charles Uhuru
- Brian Asaba
- Scot Oluoch
- Marvin Odongo
- Ivan Kirabo
- Ivan Magomu
- James Odongo
- Pius Ogena
- Michael Okorach
- Lawrence Ssebuliba
- Philip Wokorach