Uganda: Win Or Bust for Rugby Cranes

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The Monitor (Kampala)

2 August 2008
Posted to the web 4 August 2008

Innocent Ndawula and Ismail Dhakaba Kigongo

All the pre-match talk and hype will vanish in the thin air when the Uganda Rugby Cranes race on to the Kampala Rugby Football Club turf for their 2010 Africa Cup and 2011 World Cup qualifier against Madagascar today.

Uganda, ranked 31st by the International Rugby Board (IRB) humbled the Markis (ranked 43rd) 42-11 to lift the Africa Cup last year in Antananarivo and start as strong favourites in a game which they must win to make the next stage while the latter can do with any stalemate.

After the exhaustive training which included a retreat in Entebbe and camp at Hotel Equatoria, New Zealand-trained coach Yayiro Musisi Kasasa and Coaching Director David Dobela are convinced that the game will be decided by the small things and serenity.

"Being able to hold on to the ball whenever we need to and asserting pressure at pace without giving away space will be key. Decision making will also be vital," Kasasa told Daily Monitor on the eve of the do-or-die game.

Captain's call

Skipper John Musoke will continue his fruitful spell, having won two in two as the leader. "It is nice to lead a team that knows what is at stake. It's been long since the guys registered a big win and the we will be targeting one against the Markis," said Musoke before adding.

"We don't want to think about it but the fact that we've beaten them three times in the last four outings, the guys will be pumped up in front of a huge home crowd."

Whilst the Markis have brought in ten new faces from the team that lost the CAR Africa Cup final at home, Uganda will assemble a new-look squad with six youngsters who, will form an intergral part of the national outfit as the run-in to the 2011 World Cup intensifies. Madagascar's coach Camille Ratsiima was confident of winning what he referred to as "a crunch game."

"It won't be easy in this hostile environment but we are prepared to get the result and making the next stage. This is a final of sorts and we must stand up to the challenge against African Champions," Ratsiima said.

Captain Rokotoarivelo Noe and kicker Rakoto Harrison Jose (15 points in the 45-15 win over Botswana) will lead the Markis of Madagascar.

Three changes

Adrian Bukenya and quick-footed winger Allan Musoke return to the side, with center Brain Jjemba getting a hard-earned nod. As the African Champs strut out their stuff, there will also be lots of entertainment and fun courtesy of the many sponsors of the day.

Starting 15: R. Adigasi, Alex Mubiru, K.Mutabaruka, V. Wadia, M. Soita (V-captain), J. Anguyo, R. Sseguya, A. Bukenya, A. Kinene, E. Tumusiime, F. Lubega, T. Luggya, B. Jjemba, A. Musoke, J. Musoke (Captain)

Substitutes: P. Barigye, Bobby Bibangamba, R. Mwisaka, S.Ogwete, P. Karumuna, J. Kimuli and Jonathan Bishop Onen

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