With the exception of 2007, when the Rugby Cranes won the Africa Cup, 2016 will go down as one of the best years for Ugandan rugby, writes NDYAMUHAKI EMANZI.
The journey for the 15s side started in 2015 when they overcame Ivory Coast, Senegal, Botswana, Madagascar and Mauritius to earn the sole ticket to tier 1A, the top most level in African rugby.
TIER 1A BATTLE
Handed arguably the best-ever preparations prior to a tournament, which included a training camp in South Africa, the Rugby Cranes did what most considered impossible by avoiding relegation back to tier 1B.
While the masses and rugby enthusiasts called it a tall order before the team’s three games in Africa’s prime division, the two coaches, John John Duncan and Robert Sseguya, were confident that the side would deliver once the games started in July.
Although the start was not the most ideal, it was neither as dismal as had been anticipated. A 31-40 loss to Namibia at Kyadondo was what Uganda suffered. Pius Ogena (1), Joseph Aredo (1) and Philip Wokorach (2) all crossed the white chalk while eighth man Marvin Odong, named man of the match, put up one of the best performances by a Rugby Cranes player with his picks from the rack and steals in the line-outs.
Zimbabwe were Uganda’s next opponents and the trip to Harare ended in elation for Duncan’s charges as centre Oscar Kalyango, winger Lawrence Ssebuliba, eighth man Marvin Odong, full back Philip Wokorach and prop Asuman Mugerwa all crossed the white chalk to subject the home side to a rather shocking 27-34 defeat.
And seven days later, Uganda were up against Kenya in Nairobi, for clearly a dead rubber match-up, since their tier 1A status had been secured, following their win in Zimbabwe. Although the game against Kenya carried a lot of weight too, as it doubled as the second leg of the annual Elgon Cup, Uganda’s first leg home loss 10-48 made it a bridge-too-far matter. Nonetheless, Uganda were able to put up a fight, losing more respectably, 24-45.
CRANES CONQUER AFRICA
If staying in tier 1A was a tremendous feast, September 26 was remarkable for Ugandan Rugby, as the Sevens team made history, when they defeated Namibia 38-19 to lift the Africa Rugby Sevens Cup at the Safaricom stadium, Kasarani in Nairobi, Kenya.
This moment was the epitome of belief the players were exhibiting, as team captain Eric Kasiita revealed, for the performances they were showcasing. Uganda had edged giants Zimbabwe 19-14 in the group stages before a morale boosting 17-12 win over hosts, defending champions and overwhelming favourites Kenya. Pius Ogena, Philip Wokorach, James Odong, Solomon Okia and Lawrence Ssebuliba all scored as Uganda won her first ever Africa Cup.
SOUR WORLD SERIES
The reward for winning the Africa Cup, was qualifying for the HSBC World Rugby Series in Dubai, Cape Town and Hong Kong. As anticipated, Uganda were at the wrong end of most of the results at the tournaments in Dubai and Cape Town.
Dubai Sevens winners South Africa handed Tolbert Onyang’s troops a baptism of fire with a 46-00 in the opening game. Although Uganda followed that with a 5-29 loss to the USA, a 14-35 beating by Scotland and a 19-27 loss to Samoa, Uganda registered its first win at the tournament, a 26-19 win over Japan. On the following weekend in Cape Town, Uganda lost 7-29, 7-38 and 5-28 to Wales, Scotland and Samoa respectively.
KOBS DOMINATE LEAGUE
Betway Kobs suffered a 22-47 loss to Hima Cement Heathens in the final game of the 2015/2016 League season on April 30. But they had already done enough to be crowned champions. Led by Rugby Cranes skipper Brian Odong, Kobs went 17 games unbeaten and were eyeing an unbeaten season only to fall on the final day of the league.
That dominance stretched to the national sevens circuit as Kobs edged Heathens to that title too, despite losing 24-29 in the final leg at Kyadondo. Kobs went into the final circuit with 76 points and carried a three-point advantage over Heathens.
The home side still had a chance of winning the overall title had they won the circuit and Kobs failed to reach the finals. However, at the tail-end of 2016, Kobs appear to have lost their spark, lying third on the league table, and seem unlikely to be as dominant in 2017, as they have been this year.
The fact that Heathens won the Uganda Cup, edging out Pirates, the pendulum appears to have swung the other way.
SEGUYA AT HEATHENS
After appointing Robert Seguya to replace Brian Tabaruka as coach, Heathens were always going to have a different face. Seguya, who has a soft spot for young talent, believes in hard work and commitment.
His iron hand did not win him as many friends at the club as he fell out with senior players who wanted to train less and play more minutes on game day.