- World Rugby HSBC Sevens Challenger 2024 Dubai – Women’s Cup Quarterfinal
- Result: Belgium 12-17 Uganda
Going into the Sevens Challenger 2024 opening round in Dubai this weekend, Belgium were the top seeded women’s team and debutants Uganda were the lowest ranked. This contrast showed in the first pool match when they met as the former outsmarted the latter by 14-05 points on Day One.
Uganda got an opportunity to show what we brought to the competition as they made it to the Cup Quarterfinals bracket on points difference. But, (un)fortunately, it would be against Belgium again.
And step up to the challenge, they did.
The African bronze medalists composed themselves despite falling behind, 07-00, after two minutes. Grace Nabaggala took matters into her own hands to touch down Uganda’s first try.
Then the cookie crumbled in Belgium’s hands as they were reduced to five players at the tail end of the first half. Captain Peace Lekuru made the power play count for Uganda to lead 12-07 at the break.
Then Femke Soens received her second yellow three minutes into the second half and Belgium were condemned to playing with a handicap for the rest of the match.
Nabaggala scored a brilliant solo-effort try to put the semifinals out of reach of Belgium and write history for Uganda. The bottom seed would knock the top seed out of the tournament despite their last ditch try.
Uganda successfully defended a 17-12 result and continued their incredible march at The Sevens Stadium.
They will face China in the Cup Semifinal at 1.53 p.m. EAT.
