Africa Gold Cup
- Saturday, July 15
- Uganda vs. Tunisia -4.30pm, Legends
The noises coming from the Tunisia camp ahead of their clash with the Rugby Cranes suggest that the North Africans are already beaten even before kickoff.
The build up to the game, both teams’ third of the campaign, has been filled with complaints from the visitors who believe the Uganda Rugby Union could have treated them much better.
The first complaint arose the first day the team stepped at Nob View Hotel, Ntinda, their residence for a five days now. The players and coaches blames the substandard services at the hotel. They also complain about the union not availing transport means in time for them to practice among other things.
However, on the pitch, the Tunisians know they do not have their strongest side and are only fighting to cope with life in the top division with the aid of a predominantly young side.
Having conceded 153 points and only scored 17, Tunisia occupy bottom place on the Rugby Africa Gold Cup and will be second best to third placed Rugby Cranes when the two sides run onto the pitch Saturday afternoon at Legends, Kampala.
From the first lineup that was picked by John Duncan and Robert Seguya before the injury to Justin Kimono, it was clear that the two coaches were using the game to try out a few things. Full back Philip Wokorach had been moved to fly half and James Odong had taken his place at number fifteen.
The injury to Kimono, though, changed the face of the back line to a more familiar one.
Odong, who had been handed the number fifteen shirt, will return to his familiar number eleven with Wokorach tracking back to the rear end of the back line.
Aaron Ofoyrwoth gets a second chance after blundering on his debut against Kenya on June 10 and replaces Ivan Makmot at scrumhalf.
There won’t be a breather for Ivan Magomu, who had been asked to start from the bench. Solomon Okia, who had been overlooked, will get the nod to fill the gap left on the bench.
The absence of Scot Oluoch and Marvin Odongo, who are both ruled out with work and school commitments respectively, will introduce another combination in the team.
The hosts will feature Brian Asaba and Ronald Musajjagulanyago at back row. Byron Oketayot, a revelation from last year, will get the chance to return to the starting team for the first time this year at number six.
After two games, Uganda have garnered 6 points and are a point behind second placed Kenya and 4 behind log leaders Namibia.
The Cranes have scored five tries so far and will have to score more if they are to challenge for the championship with Namibia and Kenya.
Tunisia suffered a hefty 100-10 loss to Kenya last weekend before flying to Kampala.