Youthful team selected for Elgon Cup tie

Uganda Rugby Cranes coach John Duncan cuts a pretty confident pose when you ask him about his team's chances in the first of five international fixtures Uganda will delve into.

For many Ugandans there is nothing like a match against our age old rivals to get the blood flowing and with just three days to go, the squad announcement came in time for a good reassurance.

The announcement of the squad to face Kenya brought with it a few surprises, standing head and shoulders above most is the youthful look to the team.

Young players like Aaron Ofoyrwoth , Ivan Magomu, Robert Aziku , Eric Mula and Ivan Kirabo Musa Muwonge and Adnan Mutebi have impressed Duncan enough to force their way into the team.

"Anybody can play regardless of their age and I believe these boys will step up," the coach spoke with admiration about the additions.

The South African believes that they are now in a position where Uganda could deliver a good second string side now that the team is in a very good place ahead of the Elgon cup fixture.

Rugby Cranes in undergo training

"This year we have made huge strides in the right direction having sat down after last year. We have got about 40 good players to choose from.

"In 2015 you could barely chose a good second string side. Today a match between Uganda A and Uganda B for sure is a tight affair," Duncan said.

The coach has urged the team to do its best on the pitch because those are the results that attract the sponsors.

"Take care of the business on the pitch and the rest will come to you. Even in South Africa, the team had to first work hard on the pitch, the big sponsors came in with the good results.

"When you do well next thing you know the big sponsors come in and they start fighting to have brands associated with a winning," he said.

Uganda will kick off the five rounds of fixtures with an Elgon Cup match against Kenya at Legends.