The Rugby Cranes squad for the Rugby Africa Cup is starting to take shape, with players in a few key positions already assured of their places in the team.
The 28-man squad only features 2 hookers; Nathan Bwambale and Edward Emiemu, just the right number needed for the match day squad, meaning they both get to take part in all the 3 games.
Whereas Bwambale has run out for the Rugby Cranes on several occasions, his understudy Emiemu only has one senior cap to his name, but this hasn’t fazed him.
“I felt the pressure when we began the preparations in February, but right now, Coach Nollis [Marais] has prepared us very well, so I feel no pressure at all,” Emiemu remarked with a smile on his face.
That grin on his cheeks reflected the general mood in the camp, as the players seemed to enjoy all the drills they ran through last Saturday during the media open day training session.
For Emiemu, repaying the trust that the coaches have shown in him is high up on this agenda.
“It’s a privilege to play for my country. I have been looking forward to it since I started my journey of playing rugby, and so it is a good achievement that I am one of those who were looked at and given a chance,” he adds.
Emiemu’s first and only cap came against Tuesday’s opponents, the Kenya Simbas, in the 2024 first-leg loss in Nairobi.
This time round, the Kenyans are coming to Uganda, and Emiemu can’t wait to play in front of the home crowd.
“Let the fans come in big numbers, we have their long-awaited surprise,” he concluded.