Ugandan sides take another shot at glory

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Rwenzori’s Ogwete (R) races for a try against Rhinos in last year’s series. PHOTO BY Eddie Chicco

By Ismail Dhakaba Kigongo

Posted Saturday, May 4 2013 at 01:00

In Summary

Kenyan teams have re-branded from the usual name of Rhinos, Cheetahs, Sharks, Lions and Buffaloes but the challenge to win a first Bamburi title remains the same for Uganda.

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If having members of the Rugby Cranes technical committee act as coaches in the Bamburi Rugby Super Series (BRSS) isn’t a confirmation of its importance, the calendar dictates so.

Rugby Cranes forwards’ coach Fred Mudoola is in charge of Rwenzori. His backs’ counterpart Herbert Wafula leads Victoria.

National team stars will have just under a fortnight between the completion of the Bamburi event whose final is slated for June 1 and the first leg of the annual Elgon Cup in Nairobi on June 13.

Some are looking even further ahead. “The Bamburi Series spills over into the Elgon Cup and Africa Cup so every player must keep his eyes on the ball,” openside flanker Mathias Ochwo said this week.

Kenyan teams have re-branded from the usual name of Rhinos, Cheetahs, Sharks, Lions and Buffaloes but the challenge to win a first Bamburi title remains the same for Uganda.

Ochwo, the reigning Most Valuable Player (MVP) and Rugby Cranes skipper, is part of Rwenzori, who start with a home fixture against the Kenya’s Kengewa at Legends – former Kampala ground – today. Victoria made the trip to Nairobi on Thursday for their game against Nyumbu. BRSS-Uganda chapter chairman Andrew Owor has set the bar high already. “Hopefully, we get both our teams in the final,” Owor said, or rather wished.

Rwenzori became the first Ugandan side to reach the final last year only to lose 25-14 to Rhinos. “In any tournament, a good start means everything,” Mudoola noted. Mudoola and Wafula have a pool of 41 players each to choose from which is mainly dependent on availability.
Last week’s trial game went Victoria’s way as they beat Rwenzori 21-18 to crown preparations in the push for regional supremacy in the enthralling battle between Uganda and Kenya.

Roll of Honour

2003:Rhinos
2004: Cheetahs
2005:Buffaloes
2006: Cheetahs
2007: Rhinos
2008:Lions
2009:Rhinos
2010:Rhinos
2011: Rhinos
2012: Rhinos