Uganda and Kenya share spoils as Victoria Cup starts

Uganda and Kenya are on four points each going into the second round of the Victoria Cup at Entebbe Club.

Uganda national golf team coach Amos Kamya is expected to make a few changes in his pairings after giving away a one-point lead, against Kenya after day-one of the Victoria Cup.

Uganda took an early lead in the four-balls in the morning when they picked 2.5 points against Kenya's 1.5 but lost two games in the afternoon foursomes and picked a point from another  two matches and squared one respectively to forfeit their lead to end the day all-square on 4 points each.

 Uganda's Martin Ochaya and Herman Mutebi (back) lay strategy during the four-ball-better-ball

"It didn't go as we expected. My players are good on paper but didn't perform to their potential so I'm going to make a few changes and we should be leading going into the last round on Saturday," Kamya said.

Team captain Becca Mwanja was in unison with his coach saying inexperience with some of the rookies on the team in the end told.

"Some of our pairs struggled to coordinate and their communication and team work was poor but we are going to make a few adjustments because our strategy is to win the doubles. Our rookies couldn't contain the pressure and one of our senior players could have lost his nerves," Mwanja stated

He now wants the team to hit their target of leading by three or four points tomorrow but Kenya is also planning to make changes after finding the going tough.

 The Ugandan team were in buoyant mood  before the start of the Victoria Cup

"It is difficult to fire up a team on an unfamiliar course; but the games are good and everyone is playing well. Uganda is difficult to beat on its own course but I'm going to adjust my pairings a bit and see what happens," Kenyan coach

Kenya team captain Alfred Nandwa said the day-one results were a wakeup call for his side, but that it gives them a chance of fighting back.

"We are playing a tough team and we are not disappointed with what we have achieved today. It is the last singles round on Saturday where we should ensure that we win all our matches," he observed.

Results

Day 1 - Four-ball-better-ball

David Kamulindwa/Richard Baguma bt Kenya's Alfred Nandwa/Agil Is-Haq 4&3

Martin Ochaya/Herman Mutebi bt John Karichu and Mike Kisia, 4UP

Ronald Rugumayo/Becca Mwanja v Edwin Mudanyi/Mutahi Kagwe, AS

Samuel Njoroge/Denis Saikwa bt Adolf Muhumuza/Ismail Muhamud, 1up

 Day 1 - Foursomes

David Kamulindwa/Richard Baguma v Samuel Njoroge/Denis Saikwa, AS

Muthahi Kagwe/Edwin Mudanyi bt Davis Kato/Emma Ogwang 7&6

Adolf Muhumuza/Ismail Muhamud bt Jeff Kubwa/Kenneth Bollo, 5&4

Mike Kisia/John Karichu bt Martin Ochaya/Herman Mutebi, 8&7