Uganda U-20s run riot with 81-0 win over Zambia in Barthes Cup opener
Uganda made a bright start, scoring their first try through Joshua Lamot just three minutes into the match.
Uganda's Sylvester Mungu-Acel takes on Zambian opponents during the Barthes Cup at Wankulukuku Stadium
Rugby Africa
Barthes Cup Division 1
Uganda U-20 81 Zambia U-20 0
Uganda’s U-20 men’s team made a strong start to their Division One campaign with an emphatic 81-0 victory over Zambia at Muteesa II Stadium, Wankulukuku.
Uganda made a bright start, scoring their first try through Joshua Lamot just three minutes into the match.
Uganda's Abraham Mujuni is tackled by Zambian opponents during the U20 Barthes Cup
Shortly afterwards, Dodovico Olowo added two more tries, and it looked as though Uganda were set for a landslide. However, the scoring slowed considerably after the early burst.
With 10 minutes remaining in the first half, Gideone Kisangala stepped up to score Uganda’s fourth try, helping the hosts take a commanding 22-0 lead into the break.
The second half proved to be a massacre for the Zambians as Uganda turned on the style, adding 59 more points. Sylvester Mungu-Acel, Faizo Baluku, Kisangala, Elijah Katinti, Ambrose Ssebalija, Abraham Mujuni, Titus Allan, and Player of the Match Victor Agaba all got on the scoresheet, bringing Wankulukuku to rapture with every try scored.
Uganda's Sylvester Mungu-Acel takes on Zambian opponents during the Barthes Cup at Wankulukuku Stadium
"We started well in the first half by getting the first try, but then we dropped the intensity a bit. We picked it up again in the second half. We are an attacking team, and we still have to come out fired up and send a message," said the Uganda coach.
As the match unfolded, it became increasingly difficult for Zambia to grow into the contest, with Uganda dominating every aspect of play and denying them any opportunity to get on the scoreboard.
Uganda's Prince Kakaire takes on Zambian opponents with the ball during the U20 Barthes Cup at Wankulukuku. PHOTO: Johnson Were
"This was our first time coming into the Barthes Cup with this particular team, so we didn't really know what to expect. We had prepared for some time, and we had plenty of players who could have done the job. We pushed hard, but I know my team could have performed better," said Zambia captain Chama Kamuntu.