Uganda Rugby Cranes have been knocked out of the business end of the Rugby Africa Cup 2024.
The Cranes lost to Zimbabwe 20:22 on matchday one’s final fixtures at Mandela National Stadium, Namboole.
Being hosts, Uganda went into the match confident of picking up a good result. However, all that changed when the Sables scored three unanswered tries in the first half. Edward Zigauke beat his opposite winger Shakim Ssembuusi to touch down the first try. The Zimbabwe number 10, Ian Prior, made no mistake with the extras.
Zimbabwe dominated action from then until halftime. The Sables were stronger and faster than Uganda in the breakdowns and kept punishing coach Fred Mudoola’s side. For the second try, the Sables created an overlap on Timothy Kisiga’s wing. Tukudzwa Musingwini touched down, but Ian Prior fluffed the conversion.
Shortly after, Ian Prior dispatched a penalty to extend the lead to 15:00. Everything was going the South Africans’ way as Brandon Mudzekenyedzi proved too strong for Byron Oketayot and scored the third try. Ian Prior converted to send the teams to halftime with Zimbabwe leading 22:00.
Rugby Cranes turn up in the second half
After a forgettable display, the Cranes Coach turned to experience on the bench and rested the youth. Sevens star Alex Aturinda came on for his Pirates teammate Sydney Gongodyo at 8. Similarly, Joseph Aredo replaced Jones Kamiza, who had a tough debut against a more experienced Zimbabwe midfield.
Mercurial fullback Phillip Wokorach put three points on the board with a good penalty. Shortly after, he danced through the Zimbabwean defence swiftly before running 40 meters to touch down under the poles. He then converted the try before adding another penalty to reduce Zimbabwe’s lead to 9.
It was a Wokorach show as he once again dazzled the Sables before setting up his younger brother Innocent Gwokto under the poles. Much as he converted the try, the second-half performance wasn’t enough to eclipse Zimbabwe’s first-half dominance.
Zimbabwe advanced to the semifinals where they will take on Namibia on Wednesday at Wankulukuku. On the other hand, Uganda will play Burkina Faso in the classification semifinal at Wankulukuku on Wednesday. The Cranes need a win to stay in the running for a 2027 World Cup slot.
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