Ruggers raring to go in 1st leg
Nile Breweries’ Isaac Sekasi (L) hands over a jersey to captain Odongo. PHOTO BY A. BABIRYE
What you need to know:
Coach Peter Magona has issued a rallying plea to the fans to offer an intimidating atmosphere to the Kenyans on the match day.
KAMPALA- The Rugby Cranes poor form is something they have ignored ahead of their first leg Elgon Cup clash with rivals Kenya tomorrow at Kyadondo grounds.
Coach Peter Magona’s men have lost five of their last rubbers against Kenya; twice in the Elgon Cup and once in the CAR Cup in Madagascar last year.
The ruggers’ losing was prolonged by Madagascar at the same tournament. And more recently Ivory Coast and Senegal have go on to pile more misery onto Cranes during the CAR Challenge in Tunisia which saw them relegated to tier IC.
“Every player knows what is at stake in the Elgon Cup. They are ready and pumped up for the game,” said Magona.
Speaking during the unveiling of the Cranes new kit at Sheraton Kampala Hotel yesterday, Magona also made a plea to the fans to create an atmosphere that gives the team a sixteenth man on pitch.
“We need full support from the fans and we cannot wait to make them proud,” said Magona.
It’s been a year since the Rugby Cranes had a game on home turf. Out of their last six games, they have played once at home, a 13-19 loss to Kenya last year.
The 26-man squad will be trimmed to 23 on the match day. Limited surprise inclusions and exclusions are expected. The side is residing in Sheraton Hotel.
