Rugby Cranes coach Seguya calls up 50 for training

Kampala- Rugby Cranes coach Robert Seguya summoned up to 50 players for training two months ago. The number is now down to 35 with two friendly tests against the South African Barbarians awaiting on Saturday and Monday in prep for the Gold Cup.

Seguya and his troops were in Jinja over the weekend for a camp before returning Sunday evening. “We worked on our structures and team bonding. There were expectations which we all achieved,” Seguya told Daily Monitor on returning from the Jinja camp.

Seguya who is expected to announce his sides for the upcoming tests later in the week has promised to give every player a run out. There will be no need of that anxious wait players experience before the final side is confirmed. “All players are going to be given a chance to showcase,” he told this paper.

The former Buffaloes and Heathens forward wants every player to get a fair chance of impressing because he prefers testing players in international friendlies rather than local games. “Players should be selected on basis of international games not local games and that`s why all of them must play to prove themselves,” he reasoned.

Uganda has been granted a rare opportunity of playing friendly games before the business end of the international campaign shows up in the Gold Cup. South African side Barbarian are first in line on Saturday and Monday. Free State Cheetahs B will also fly in for games on May 16 and 19.

Uganda are up against Kenya, Zimbabwe, Namibia and Tunisia in the Gold Cup that gets under way in June. The winner will not only be crowned African champion but will also secure direct qualification to the 2019 Rugby World Cup.

Upcoming friendly games for ruggers
Uganda vs. South African Barbarians April 28 Legends
Uganda vs. South African Barbarians April 30 Legends
Uganda vs. Free State Cheetah B May 16 Legends
Uganda vs. Free State Cheetah B May 19 Kyadondo

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