Lady Cranes’ World Cup decider set
Helen Buteme has been a core of the Lady Cranes side for the last five years and her experience will be vital as Uganda look to stun South Africa. PHOTO BY EDDIE CHICCO
KAMPALA-September 7 should be a day every sports fans notes down in their calendar as it will decide the fate of two national teams in regard to World Cup qualification.
Just this week, the national football team, Uganda Cranes, received communication that their final group World Cup qualifier against Senegal will be played on that date in Marrakesh, Morocco.
Theirs will only be a first step as there is a two-legged knockout round to come thereafter if Uganda are to make the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
On the opposing end of the continent, the women’s rugby team, Lady Cranes, will be 80 minutes away from the Rugby World Cup in a year’s time in France.
Mountainous task
Uganda must beat South Africa to make the 15s version, four years after the women qualified for the 7s format in Dubai.
The International Rugby Board (IRB) confirmed the dates to decide the final two slots with the final African qualifiers now slated for September 7 in East London.
South Africa are bidding to qualify for a third successive World Cup, while Uganda beat Kenya over two legs in their annual Elgon Cup series to reach this play-off.
Lady Cranes suffered a 18-17 away loss to Kenya but overturned it here with a nervous 13-8 victory. Four teams from Asia are also hoping for a place in the World Cup.
There are 10 teams that have booked their places at the Women’s Rugby World Cup including defending champions New Zealand, 2010 runners-up England, Australia, hosts France, USA, Canada, Ireland, Wales, Spain and Samoa.
Uganda Cup duels
Back home in Kampala, MTN Heathens will meet their sternest test of the Uganda Cup thus far when they host Entebbe Mongers at Kyadondo Rugby Football Club (KYRFC) this evening.
The Gulu Elephants, who have so far been an entertaining lot, host Boks in Gulu - a clash that is expected to provide many thrills and spills for the partisan northerners.
On a rather unusual turf, Uganda Christian University exchange pleasantries with Lira Bulls in Mukono and Nile will rub away the tears, after the death of Yusuf ‘Baban’ Zaid, when they host Rams in Jinja.
TODAY - NILE SPECIAL UGANDA CUP
Heathens vs. Mongers, 5:00pm Kyadondo RFC
Stallions’ vs. Mbale Elephants, 3:00pm
Warriors vs. Pirates, 5:00pm, Legends
Boks vs. Gulu Elephants , 4:00pm, Gulu
Xfm Impis vs. Buffaloes, 5:00pm, Makerere
Rhinos vs. DMark Kobs , 3:00pm, Legends
Nile vs. Rams, 4:30pm, Jinja
UCU vs. Lira, 4:00pm, Mukono
