Rugby Cranes in race to be fit

By Johnson Were

Elgon Cup 2nd leg

Uganda v Kenya 4.30pm

Women World Cup Qualifier 

Uganda v Kenya 2.30pm

ALTHOUGH the Rugby Cranes have been hit by an injury curse ahead of Saturday’s Elgon Cup showdown against Kenya, the team’s medics are positive that the affected players will be available for selection.

Prop Ronald Adigas, centre/winger Michael Wokorach, Arthur Mukama and Jonathan Onen Bishop suffered various injuries during the first leg game in Nairobi where the Rugby Cranes claimed a 17-16 victory.

Wokorach fell victim to an ankle strain, Mukama a knee strain, Adigas a groin while Onen twisted his neck.

But according to team doctor Livingstone Lugya, the three could still be available for the weekend game at Kyadondo Rugby Ground.

“We are working on them and they are responding positively to treatment,” Lugya confirmed.

“We are only worried about Wokorach’s ankle but all the others are hopeful of making it on Saturday,” Lugya added.

According to the team physiotherapist Michael Kebu, the players have been undergoing therapy and were taken to Nsambya Hospital yesterday for further tests.

The Cranes resumed training yesterday determined to rectify some of the mistakes that were exposed in the first leg.

The weaknesses included complacency during the game that handed Kenya the initiative to lead 13-8 after Robert Seguya ignored a Kenyan player in a scuffle who he assumed to have fouled him.

Around the 70th minute of the game, Onen also almost gifted the Kenyans a free try after failing to clear the ball within the five-yard area.

The team’s coaches Peter Magona, Fred Mudoola and Hebert Wafula will fight such complacency and demand character from their charges when the two sides face-off yet again in what should be a thrilling return leg.

The trio will particularly hope that Seguya, Onen and Marvin Odong continue to perform like they did in Nairobi.

Of course, Kenya have superior coaches in South African Jerome Paawater assisted by former Springboks tactician Peter De Villiers.

But such is the confidence in the Ugandan team that nothing but victory will do. 

“I liked the spirit the boys put up in Nairobi and I hope we show the same on Saturday,” said team captain Alex Mubiru. 

The Lady Rugby Cranes are equally determined to overturn their first leg defeat in the two legged tournament that also doubles as a qualifier for the 2014 World Cup in France.