Safari 7s: Onyango hoping to capture magic of 2016

Kenya Safari 7s

Pool A: South Africa, Uganda, Kenya Morans, Burundi

Pool B: Samurai, Western Province, Narvskaya Russia, Red Wailers

Pool C: Kenya Shujaa, Blue Bulls, Russia Academy, Zambia

Pool D: Spain, Zimbabwe, Seventise, KCB

It will be a bruising opening fixture as Uganda Rugby Cranes kick-off their campaign for the silverware against Kenya Morans in the Kenya Safari 7s today.

Tolbert Onyango's charges will be targeting to duplicate their 2016 performance when they beat Kenya 17-12 in the semi-final of the Africa Rugby 7s in their home turf at Moi International Stadium, Kasarani.

Besides Kenya, Uganda will face giants South Africa and Burundi in group stages of 23rd edition of the tournament has drawn 16 teams.

Cranes' flanker Solomon Okia and winger Pius Ogena who were part of the team that inflicted the pain against Kenya are looking forward to doing it again in the match dubbed the East African challenge.

Team captain Michael Wokorach said that they are excited to participate in a tournament that is the premier brand of Africa and are ready for the challenge.

"Yes we are ready, we are excited with the first experience to fly on Uganda Airlines. We are motivated to go for a win," he said.

Cranes coach Tolbert Onyango is also expectant of positive results.

"As usual, games against Kenya are always tough, but we expect to execute our game plan and hope," he said.

The Uganda team captained by Michael Wokorach include Pius Ogena, Kevin Keremundu, Solomon Okia, Okorach, William Nkore, Desire Ayera, Ian Munyani, Joseph Aredo, Nobert Okeny, Adrian Kasito, Aron Ofoirwoth and Timothy Odong.

The tournament ear-marked to become a World Rugby Series event has attracted other top rugby nations including Spain, Russia and African champions Zimbabwe.