Zambian XV here today

By Kalungi Kabuye Africa Zone - World Cup Group A (South) Zambia Uganda Cameroon The Zambian national rugby team arrives today for their 15-a-side rugby World Cup 2003 qualifying game against Uganda on Saturday. The thirty-one-man contingent consists of 22 players and nine officials, led by the Zambian deputy minister of sports Dalton Sonkotwe and the director of sports Mubita Mubiana. Uganda Rugby Football Union Chairman Paul Sigombe confirmed the arrival yesterday, and said also expected today are the referees — the three (center referee and two touch judges) are from South Africa. Zambia plays Uganda on Saturday in a first round game of the 2003 Rugby World Cup Qualifiers at Kyadondo RFC pitch. This will be the first time that Uganda participates in such an international fixture. Last year the national Sevens team took part in the seven-a-side World Cup Qualifiers. Uganda is grouped together with Zambia and Cameroon. In the first game of the round, Zambia beat Cameroon 25-24 in Chingola two weeks ago. Uganda will next play Cameroon in Yaounde. The winner of Group A will join the winner of Group B (Botswana, Swaziland, Madagascar) and Kenya in the second round. Kenya got a bye having previously participated in the World Cup. Rugby is one of Uganda’s fastest growing sports. By Ronnie Kintu THE national combined schools team will take on Kenya schools combined XV in a curtain raiser game to the highly billed World Cup qualifier between Uganda and Zambia. The newly established and renovated Kyadondo ground will be the place to be for hundreds of fans from 2.00pm Saturday. The Kenyan squad of 22 players is expected to jet in the country tomorrow. “Some of our school boys have not been able to turn up for drills due to the on going examinations but a lot is expected from them,” said Kasasa Yayiro, the national assistant coach. Notable among the Ugandans will be Raymond Mwesigwa, Tonny Lugya, Timothy Mudola and Molly Atubo. Kenya has had various trial matches and watch out for Polter Ochieng, Robert Lowoko, Michael Kimani and John Allan.