All Square for Kenya, Uganda on Day One

Honours Even. Baguma & Gaita (L) won their two respectives game for Uganda whereas Kenya captain Samuel Njoroge and his partner Mutahi Kibugu were also in imperious form on the day with two victories. The games continue at Kitante today. PHOTOS BY EDDIE CHICCO

Kampala. Kenya captain Samuel Njoroge said his team was in Kampala to have some fun at the fourth edition of the Victoria Cup and they surely did as much especially in their captivating fight back in Round Two’s Foursomes that saw them draw level as play climaxed on Day One with both teams tied on four points apiece.

Njoroge was one half of Kenya’s pairing, alongside Mutahi Kibugu that won their morning Round One’s Four-ball Better-ball game against Uganda’s Dennis Asaba and Emmanuel Jakisa (1-up) and it looked like their victory inspired the rest of the Kenyan team to rally wins in the afternoon’s Foursomes.

Only Uganda’s Daniel Baguma and Rodell Gaita managed victory in the afternoon session with a hard-grit 1-up win against Simon Njogu and Matthew Wahome .
The same combo had lit up the day for the hosts with a Three-Up, Two Holes To Go (3/2) triumph against Daniel Nduva and Paul Muchangi for Uganda’s first point on the day in the morning. Uganda’s two other points of the day were collected by Joseph Cwinyaai and Joseph Nsubuga’s partnership plus that of Grace Kasango and Michael Alunga.

Staying positive
Team Uganda coach Stephen Kasaija remained optimistic that his boys can wrestle back the initiative as the nation prays for its first Victoria Cup silverware.
“The morning games were fine. I was only disappointed that we didn’t win them all,” said Kasaija, a former professional golfer.

“In the afternoon rounds, our guys played off the routine. They couldn’t get on the greens by regulation. And holes No.12, 13, 14 and 15 were our undoing. We will improve and shall be targeting six points on Day Two.”
Today, Uganda and Kenya lock horns in two rounds (Four-ball Better-ball & Foursomes) in a tournament that is also dubbed as East Africa’s Ryder Cup.

DAY ONE RESULTS - VICTORIA CUP
Uganda 4 points
Kenya 4 points
Round One Results
Four-ball Better-ball
*Koribi Gitiramu & Kiragu Daniel Lost To Cwinyaai Joseph & Nsubuga Godfrey 4/3
*Daniel Nduva & Paul Muchangi Lost To Baguma Daniel & Gaita Rodell 3/2
*Samuel Njoroge & Mutahi Kibugu Beat Asaba Dennis & Jakisa Emmanuel 1-Up
*Simon Njogu & Matthew Wahome Lost To Kasango Grace & Alunga Michael 3/2
Round Two - Foursomes
*William Odera & Robinson Awiti Beat Cwinyaai Joseph & Nsubuga Godfrey 5/3
*Daniel Nduva & Paul Muchangi Beat Alunga Michael & Bagalana Ashiraf 4/3
*Samuel Njoroge & Mutahi Kibugu Beat Asaba Dennis & Jakisa Emmanuel 4/3
*Simon Njogu & Matthew Wahome Lost To Baguma Daniel & Gaita Rodell 1up
Today – Round III & IV
8am: Four-ball Better-ball
1.30pm: Foursomes