Elgon Cup: Rugby Cranes squads named

By Johnson Were

Elgon Cup Return Leg (Saturday at Legends Rugby Club)

Women: Uganda v Kenya, 2.00pm

Men:  Uganda v Kenya, 4.30pm

Entry fees

Executive: sh50, 000
VIP: sh20, 000
Stands: sh10, 000

 

The squads for Uganda’s national rugby men and women teams have been named for Saturday’s Elgon Cup return leg in Kampala.

Rugby Cranes coach Robert Sseguya named his lineup while Lady Rugby Cranes coach Allan Musoke presented the women’s team.

Sseguya named a squad that will not feature winger Justin Kimono (suspension) and centre Oscar Kalyango, but he said the duo’s absence will not affect the team’s performance because their substitutes are “equally good”.

The women will play first, starting at 2.00opm local time before the men’s clash two-and-a-half hours later.

Sseguya told journalists that bringing on other players will “help us try out new blood” ahead of their major test of winning the Rugby Africa Cup next month.

"Kimono, Kalyango, Denis (Mugambe),Mullo (Denis) are out but we are confident their replacements like Pius Ogena, Alfred  Bijik and Marshal Tchumcam are equally good.”

Kimono, who Coach Sseguya rated as the best performer in the Cranes’ 17-20 defeat in the first leg in Nairobi, was dropped because he was cited for head-butting a Kenyan player and is suspended for two weeks.

Newly appointed South African tactician John Duncan said he is confident his charges will perform because the morale and commitment of players is high in the camp.

The same was echoed by the Lady Rugby Cranes Coach Allan Musoke who said that his team will win the return leg after a 5-5 level in Nairobi last weekend.
 

Uganda Rugby Cranes battle Kenya’s Lions last year. (Credit: Mpalanyi Ssentongo)

The two coaches later named their squads that will be out reclaim the Elgon Cup lost last year.


Rugby Cranes:

Brian Odongo (Captain), Asuman Mugerwa, Alex Mubiru, Cyrus Wathum, Ronald Musajja, Scott Oluoch, Charles Uhuru, Collins Kimbowa, Pius Ogena,Mathias Ochwo, Arthur Mpande, David Kyewalabye, Oscar Kalyango, Chris Lubanga and  Michael Wokorach (Vice Captain).

Others are, Kevin Makmot, Joseph Aredo, Ramathan Govule, Lawrence Ssebuliba, Davis Kiwalabye, Eric Kasita, Arthur Mpande, and Gerald Ssewankambo.


Women's team:

Irene Nzigge, Scovia Aketo, Peace Mirembe, Phionah Nalubwama, Charity Atimango, Claire Anena, Fortunate Irankunda, Hellen Gizamba, Emmanuella Oroma, Stella Kyalikunda, Prossy Nakakande, Mary Nakanyike Peace and Wokorach Charlotte Mudoola.

Others are Harriet Kayonjo, Gilder Azikuru, Brenda Violet Kayiyi, Asha Nakityo, Hildah Nyiraguhirwa, Samiya Ayikoru, Rachael Babirye Kakaire, Grace Auma, Mary Kyoita, Helen Buteme (strength & conditioning coach).