D-day as Lady Cranes coach names final Sevens team
Battling for a spot? Entebbe Ladies’ Faith Namugga (R) battles for the ball with Mary Gloria Ayot during the Jinja 7s circuit recently. Namugga will not be part of the Lady Cranes. PHOTO BY EDDIE CHICCO
KAMPALA- As the clock ticks closer to the Rugby Africa Women’s 7s tournament due September 16-17 in Tunisia, Uganda Lady Cranes has entered advanced stages of preparations.
Head coach Helen Koyokoyo Buteme will announce her final team of 12 plus two non-travelling reserves after today’s training session.
On Sunday, three players- Peace Lekuru, Beatrice Atim and Faith Namugga - all from Entebbe Ladies, were dropped.
Grace Auma and Peace Wokorach, who missed last year’s trip to the Dubai 7s invitational due to exams, are back to fight for their positions. The provisional team also includes Harriet Kayonjo and Charlotte Mudoola, Buteme’s teammates at the 2009 7s World Cup.
However, Emmanuella Oroma, who captained Uganda to a fourth position finish at last year’s Rugby Afrique 7s in Zimbabwe, misses out, alongside Peace Mirembe, who is recovering from a broken ankle.
The tournament, which will attract the continent’s top sides, will see the winner qualify for next year’s 7s World Cup.
The two finalists shall then represent Africa at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Australia.
Players in camp:
Aisha Nakityo Nabulime, Harriet Kayonjo,
Mary Kyoita Odoyi, Samiya Ayikoru
(all Thunderbirds), Emilly Lekuru,
Gilder Azikuru, Grace Auma, Immaculate Mercy Mufuwa, Peace Wokorach
(all Walukuba Titans), Flavia Agenorwot
(Kitgum Queens), Charlotte Mudoola,
Hellen Barbra Gizamba (all Black Panthers), Juliet Nandawula, Justine Namagembe (Entebbe Ladies).
