Victoria Cup: Uganda face uphill task

Uganda golfers must win all their games in the four-ball-better-ball and the foursomes today to stand any chance of winning their first Victoria Cup trophy at the annual tournament going on at the Vetlab Sports Club in Nairobi.

It is a tall order for the Ugandans after losing all their first round matches 4-0. But team manager Moses Masiko believes the team can make amends in today's round, after he blamed Uganda's dismal start on fast greens.

"Today the boys woke up in high spirits and ready to play, we lost all the first round matches sadly.  They did a double cut on the greens the previous night bringing the speed from 7.5 to 11.5 and also they used a similar colour of flags yet we have been practicing on the usual red, yellow and white which particularly confused all the boys on approach shots and eventually we lost,"  Masiko reasoned.

"On the same account I wish to confess that I totally forgot to ask about the flags to be used in the competition, it never occurred to me. I however asked PIN positions but they said they weren't available. The mistake was mine and I strongly believe that was the main cause of our upset yesterday though the Kenyans had a stunning day.

"We have all the reasons and character to have ours today and given the form and mindset in our camp we shouldn't have a problem on the last day with the singles," Masiko said.

In Friday's action Rodwell Gaita and Richard Baguma is up against Edwin Mudanyi and Mutahi Kibugu while Ronald Rugumayo and Joseph Cwinyai take on John Karichu and Isaac Makokha.

David Kamulindwa and Adolf Muhumuza entertain Daniel Nduva and Zubair Khan as Abraham Ainamani and Martin Ochaya face off with Mike Kisia and Dennis Saikwa.

Kenya has won the past two editions of the tournament; the first by a point at Muthaiga Golf Club and the second by two points in Entebbe last year where they edged Uganda by two points.

First round results

Daniel Nduva and Agil Is Haq bt Adolf Muhumuza and David Kamulindwa; 3/1

Dennis Saikwa and Mike Kisia bt Becca Mwanja and Rodwell Gaita; 6/5

John Karichu and Paul Muchangi bt Joseph Cwinyai and Herman Mutebi; 5/4

Edwin Mudanyi and Mutahi Kibugu bt Richard Baguma and Ronald Rugumayo; 4/3