Call for realism

Keep Calm. Mudoola leads out the Lady Cranes hopeful that they can ruffle some of the giants’ feathers in Tunisia today. PHoto BY eddie chicco

What you need to know:

  • Rugby. Finishing among the top two Commonwealth nations, which is a realistic target for Buteme’s outfit, will guarantee Uganda a ticket to Australia.

KAMPALA.

Uganda enters today’s Rugby Afrique Championships in Tunisia hopeful of bettering last year’s fourth place finish in Zimbabwe. The event doubles as a 2018 World Cup and Commonwealth Games qualifier. But in Uganda’s case, the plane to Australia is more realistic.
With the winner going to the World Cup, all Uganda needs is to finish amongst the top two Commonwealth teams, which include South Africa and Kenya. The immediate task is to negotiate Pool A that has defending champions South Africa, hosts Tunisia and Morocco. “If we achieve that (qualifying from the group), anything can happen. We need to win the first two games,” said Grace Auma, Uganda’s best player last year, with five tries out of Uganda’s nine. Uganda will field its most diverse team ever, with players coming from Entebbe, Kampala, Jinja and Kitgum.
Whereas most have pointed to inexperience as a possible undoing (five players shall wear the jersey for the first time), coach Helen Koyokoyo Buteme, opines otherwise. “Last year, many of them played in invitational championships in Kenya and Dubai. Flavia (Agenerwot) was our second best player in the Dubai 7s, despite it being her first ever game outside Uganda,” reasons Buteme.
Buteme, who captained Uganda at the 2009 World Cup, will hope that the consistency and experience of captain Charlotte Mudoola, drives the team.
Three-horse battle in National 7s
The last five weeks have seen 17 sides grace five venues in Kyadondo, Legends Jinja, Gulu and Makerere in the Guinness National 7s Series. The circuit climaxes today at Legends with only three sides in contention to walk home as champions. Holders Betway Kobs, Toyota Buffaloes and Hima Cement Heathens could all have a new piece of silverware in their trophy cabinets with four points separating the trio.
Kobs, beaten 21-15 by Entebbe Plascon Mongers last weekend, are keen to bounce back at home where they will honour one of their own, Edward Kitaka, a man who gave all for the growth of rugby at Kobs. Kobs have 91 points while Buffaloes and Heathens follow with 89 and 87 respectively.

Rugby Afrique 7s
9.22am: Uganda vs Tunisia
11.20am: Uganda vs Morocco
12.56pm: South Africa vs Uganda
Pool A
South Africa, Uganda, Tunisia, Morocco
Pool B
Kenya, Zimbabwe, Senegal, Madagascar