Odongo rallies Cranes
Odongo forces his way through the Kenyan rear guard in the Elgon Cup last weekend. Photo by Eddie Chicco
KAMPALA- Rugby Cranes captain, Brian Odongo, has called on his charges to hit the ground running in the Rugby Africa Tier 1B tournament starting Sunday at Kyadondo.
“We need to take the first game as a final,” Odongo said as Uganda prepare for the tournament opener. “We have to play at 100 per cent.”
Odongo made his national team debut in 2008 as a 20-year-old and has been part of the fold since then. Over the seven years with the national team, Odongo has had a fair share of disappointments.
In 2013, Kenya humiliated Cranes 52-11 in Madagascar in their opening fixture and last year was no different when Ivory Coast edged Uganda 19-22 in their first game.
Just like last year in Tunisia, Ivory Coast will be Uganda’s first opponents when the continental showpiece kicks off this Sunday and the prop thinks that the first game can determine the rest of the tournament.
“We played them (Ivory Coast) last year and we were unlucky to lose after conceding from the final play,” said Odongo.
This time around, the 27-year-old knows that firing from the opening whistle can help Cranes control the game and get something out of it.
“We have to put our foot on the accelerator from start to finish. We have to dictate the pace of the game,” he said.
Meanwhile, Mauritius became the first team to arrive for the tournament last night. Senegal and Botswana are expected today. All teams will be accommodated at Silver Springs Hotel, Bugolobi. The hotel is sponsoring the tournament.
RUGBY AFRICA TIER 1B
UGANDA’S FIXTURES
Sunday: Uganda vs. Ivory Coast
Wed, 8th:Uganda vs. Mauritius
Sat, 11th: Uganda vs. Botswana
Other fixtures (Sunday)
Madagascar vs. Botswana 12:30pm
Uganda vs. Ivory Coast 2:30pm
Mauritius vs. Senegal 4:30pm
