It was a day to forget for the Rugby Cranes when they faced off with archrivals Kenya on Tuesday. The 32-24 loss meant that the Cranes’ Rugby World Cup qualification campaign was over, signalling a need to finish on a high in their remaining 2 placement games.
First up, a midday date with the Atlas Lions of Morocco this Sunday shall determine whether the Cranes get to stay in the top division of the African rugby showpiece tournament, or face the possibility of the knife when they go into Matchday 3 to face the loser between Senegal and Ivory Coast.
The Cranes’ coaches have made some changes to the squad that lost against Kenya. The whole starting pack has been kept as was, but the backs have been tinkered with a little bit. The halfback pairing of Conrad Wanyama and William Nkore comes in to replace Aaron Ofoyrwoth and Joseph Aredo, with the latter now moving to center to pair with Ian Munyani who keeps his place in midfield.
The Back 3 are exactly what the fans wished for; before, during and after that Tuesday debacle. Kisiga starts his first game of the campaign alongside Kasito and Wokorach, while Ssembusi shall possibly make an appearance to cover in that area of the pitch. Otema, Walker, Ayebazibwe and Massangazira do not make a return, while Kimbowa and Wandera shall play their part off the bench.
Despite the huge 43-08 loss to Namibia, the Moroccans are a strong team and they showed why they deserve to be competing at this level. They qualified for the Rugby Africa Cup by defeating fellow North Africans Tunisia, replacing Burkina Faso in the elite men’s 15s competition.
Starting XV: Santos Ssenteza, Nathan Bwambale, Fahad Maido, Julius Opio, Sydney Gongodyo, Frank Kidega, Byron Oketayot (C), Pius Ogena, Conrad Wanyama, William Nkore, Timothy Kisiga, Joseph Aredo, Ian Munyani, Adrian Kasito, Phillip Wokorach
Substitutes: Edward Emiemu, Saul Kivumbi, Collins Kimbowa, Eliphaz Emong, Alex Aturinda, Brian Wandera, Aaron Ofoyrwoth, Shakim Ssembusi.