Africa Cup winning captain Bukenya backing Rugby Cranes
The great Rugby Cranes team that was captained by Bukenya. Photo by Eddie Chicco
KAMPALA. Nine years ago, on June 27, a World Cup bound Namibia made a trip to Uganda for a semifinal place in the Africa Cup.
Two early Namibia tries were not enough to shut down the Cranes side that is considered by many as the greatest Uganda has produced.
Despite the slow start, Uganda was not ready to roll down the carpet for the guests. Second half tries from Simon Wakabi, Allan ‘Sokee’ Musoke and captain Adrian Bukenya gave Uganda a lifeline to go on and claim a famous 20-19 victory at Kampala Rugby Football Club (current Legends). Current Cranes coach Robert Seguya was named man of the match. It did not stop there. Uganda went on to be crowned African champions.
Fast forward to Saturday, when Namibia returns to Uganda for a 1A Tier. Bukenya, the 2007 captain, vividly remembers how that game was won and how the current crop can emulate them.
“We first of all had a single-minded objective of not losing. No one believed in us but ourselves. Namibia arrived on the morning of the game and we felt disrespected.
“They had qualified for the World Cup and were from Europe to play some good teams. Even when things weren’t going well for us, we remained composed. We never argued on pitch,” said Bukenya.
He goes ahead to cite Muhammad Ali’s ‘rope-a-dope’ tactic. According to Bukenya, Namibia suffocated them with a lot of pressure, which they absorbed and fought back to win the game, just like Muhammad Ali did against George Foreman in the famous ‘Rumble in the Jungle’ in 1974.
“I want the team to know that all the former Cranes are backing them. If they go into that game with belief, they will win. They must leave everything on the pitch,” added Bukenya.
