Rugby Cranes flanker Ronald Musajja (right) in action against rivals Kenya during the Elgon Cup first leg. Photo by Eddie Chicco
Kampala. If Ugandan rugby has been praying for an opportunity to re-announce itself on the big stage, then today’s game against Namibia in the 1A Africa Rugby Cup at Kyadondo provides the perfect occasion to send a laud message of revivification.
Uganda and Namibia have enjoyed contrasting fortunes since they last met in 2007. Cranes may have edged the ‘Welwitschias’ 19-20 on that memorable day but Namibia have gone on to appear in three World Cups. They’ve also won three Africa Cups.
In the same period Uganda have not really achieved much save for last year’s 1B heroics that saw the team return to 1A.
Cranes coach John Duncan is well aware of what Namibia have managed and believes they deserve respect.
“We have a lot of respect for them but that does not call for us to worry about what they can do; we too have our own game plan and that’s what we need to focus on,” he told Saturday Monitor.
“We need to stick to what we do best as a side and that’s deploying an open running game because the side has a number of lads with good feet – our athleticism can help us take the game to them.”
Duncan’s assistant Robert Seguya was part of the side that beat Namibia in 2007 and a bigger part of his conscience tells him the current crop can roll back the years if they believe in themselves.
“They are a top side but if our boys wake up on the good side of their beds to focus and believe that they can win, then the day is ours.”
dbugembe@ug.nationmedia.com
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