They were initially supposed to arrive in Accra, Ghana on Wednesday afternoon but after shockingly missing their departure flight, the Uganda Women’s 7s national team touched down at Kotoka International Airport at 2 p.m. local time (5 p.m. EAT) on Friday aboard RwandAir.
This was just hours before the 2024 women’s Rugby Africa 7s tournament kicks off on Saturday at the University of Ghana Rugby Stadium. Only one other country (Mauritius) were yet to arrive for the tournament.
Despite being visibly fatigued from the journey, Team Uganda remained resolute that they were still in control of their own destiny.
”We had some flight challenges but we are finally here. Those are things that normally happen but they’re not dragging us away from targets we set for the tournament,” Coach Charles Onen said to Kawowo Sports at the arrivals terminal in Accra.
Captain Peace Lekuru was brief in her remarks as she affirmed Uganda’s readiness. “It was just a long journey and then things didn’t go right. But that’s not an excuse, we are still coming in hard,” Lekuru said.
Uganda had a light blowout session at the stadium before sunset.
They will face Zambia, Senegal, and Côte d’Ivoire in Pool C during the knockout round of the tournament.
Kickoff times – all EAT (GMT+3):
- 12.22 p.m.: Uganda v Côte d’Ivoire
- 3.06 p.m.: Uganda v Senegal
- 6.12 p.m.: Uganda v Zambia
All matches in the tournament will be broadcast live on Rugby Africa’s YouTube channel and the RugbyPass TV app.