Chance for redemption

Rugby Cranes captain Mugerwa looks to win Uganda more yardage when the two sides faced off last year. Charles Uhuru (background) is also in the mix today. PHOTO BYEDDIE CHICCO

What you need to know:

  • Rugby. Asuman Mugerwa and his teammates will be anxious to get Uganda off the bottom of the log against Tunisia at Kyadondo today.

Two losses in the opening rounds of the Africa Gold Cup have left Uganda in a spot of bother despite coach John Duncan and his camp, playing down the significance of being at the wrong end of the log.
With two games played and three to go, the Cranes have every right to ignore Silver Cup prospects but recovery must start today when they host North Africans Tunisia, at Kyadondo Rugby Club. A third loss would give reason to worry even with home ties against Morocco and Zimbabwe to follow.
“We started the campaign targeting World Cup qualification but that’s now out, we cannot get it but there is still plenty to play for especially making the home fans happy once again,” Duncan told SCORE.
The South African tutor believes Uganda should utilise their three home games by getting good results after a poor start on the road. “The boys play better and with more confidence at home. All the remaining games are winnable,” he added.
Captain Asuman Mugerwa is adamant that the number of penalties Uganda has given away in the last two games has been their biggest undoing, calling for better discipline from his teammates today. “One of the things our coaches noted was that we give away way to many penalties. If we give away fewer penalties, then we have a good chance of winning,” Mugerwa told SCORE.
Tunisia lie third on the Gold Cup log with two contrasting scores, an embarrassing 118-0 result in Windhoek before reciprocating to beat Zimbabwe 18-14 in Tunis.
The venue, Kyadondo Rugby Club, also favours Cranes’ style of play because of its big size that gives the lads enough running space unlike the smaller Legends.

Starting XV : 1. Martial Tchuckman 2. Paul Sekate 3. Asuman Mugerwa (captain) 4. Charles Uhuru 5. Robert Aziku 6. Byron Oketayot 7. Brian Asaba 8. Eliphaz Emong 9. Aaron Oforyworth 10. Robert Masendi 11. James Odong 12. Pius Ogena 13. Michael Wokorach 14. Justin Kimono (vice- captain) 15.Philip Wokorach
Replacements: 16. Joseph Tamale 17. Santos Ssenteza 18. Collins Kimbowa 19. Simon Olet
20. Arthur Mukama 21. Conrad Wanyama
22. Solomon Okia