Makalama tips Rugby Cranes

By Johnson Were

CAR Cup Semi-final

Uganda v Kenya 12.30pm

Zimbabwe v Madagascar 2.30pm

Sunday July 14 

3rd Play-off 12.30pm 

Final 2:30 

THE Lady Rugby Cranes coach Brian Makalama has tipped the Rugby Cranes to overcome Kenya in the Africa cup semi-final today in Madagascar. 

Makalama who was part of the famous 2007 team, and an experienced prop said that the Cranes should stick to the forwards game and stop Kenya from executing that running flavour rugby. 

“We should play our game structures we are known of. We have no flair but we are brutal and very physical to the extent that Kenya can’t defeat us in that area,” Makalama stated. 

“I know that they will use last month’s advantage when they dominated our forwards, but if we stick to basics, we shall show them that we are kings at forward play rugby,” he stressed. 

South African coach Jerome Paarwater named sevens team captain Andrew Amonde, Oscar Ayodi and Fabian Olando fresh from the Sevens World cup where Kenya finished fourth in the squad to face Uganda.

However, Makalama stated that that has nothing to do with 15s rugby and the Rugby Cranes should just be focused.

“Our plight is with our forwards. We grind our opponents from the set pieces taking it to the ruck area then release the backs. We should do a minimum of 4 phases before introducing our outside backs. It has always worked for the forwards and it can work this time,” Makalama explained. 

Uganda and Kenya renew their regional rivalry in the first semi-final of the Confederation of Africa Rugby tier 1A and this will be the third tie in the space of 4 weeks. 

The team was boosted by the return of experienced and energetic Cameroon-born tight head prop Martial Tchumcam, hooker Solomon Mawanda, loose head prop Ronald Adigas and winger Felix Lubega. 

The Rugby Cranes have an edge over Kenya for the past two semi-finals in 2007 where the Cranes mauled Kenya 24-12 and later crashed Kenya 21-19 in the 2012 CAR semi-final in Tunisia but will enter the game out to revenge last month’s crushing 19-13 defeat in the Elgon Cup. 

The top three teams will qualify to the final stage of the 2015 Rugby World Cup qualifiers which kick-off next year.

Rugby Cranes: Ronald Adigasi,Solomon Mawanda, Paul Serunjogi,Romano Ogwal,Dennis Mullo,Scot Oluoch, Timothy Mudoola, Brian Jemba, Andrew Olweny, Joel Anguyo, Oscar Kalyango,Micheal Wokorach, Justin Kimono, Jonathan Onen, Benon Kizza, Marvin Odongo, Mugerwa Asuman, Davis Kiwalabye, Dennis Mugambe, Martial Tchumkam, Robert Seguya, Joseph Aredo, Arthur Mukama, Felix Lubega. 

Officials: Peter Magona (coach), Brian Tabaruka (team manager) and Dr. Tonny Lugya (team doctor).