The Rugby Cranes ran rings around Ghana in a one-sided affair to win 53-12 in the opening game of the Africa Rugby Cup in pool C at Kyadondo Rugby Grounds, Kampala on Saturday.
It was an unfamiliar sight of empty stands for a Rugby Cranes games but the emergence of the Covid-19 pandemic means fans cannot access venues, with strict standard operating procedures observed.
In Ivan Magomu’s first outing as captain, his troops got off to the perfect start with hooker Faraji Odugo scoring a try off maul from a lineout. From then, the tries started flying in with Desire Ayera and Solomon Okia registering a brace each. Brian Odongo, Aaron Ofoyrwoth and Ronald Kanyanya also added a try apiece but it was man of the match Adrian Kasito who stole the show.
Kasito marshalled the back on top of being effective both in defence and attack. He also spared time to score 13 points off the boot, missing one attempt. Despite Uganda starting so well, they relaxed midway to allow Ghana sneak in two tries through Miles Scott and Tume-Baofo Josiah Kwetu to give Ghana’s a lifeline at 26-12.
Ofoyrwoth’s introduction for vice captain Paul Epillo got Uganda cruising once again, he got himself a try and raised the game tempo to blow out the Ghanaians. Kanyanya and Okia scored great tries after leaving their defenders for dead.
Jacob Ochen, Mark Omoding, Claude Otema, Maxwell Ebonga got their official debuts in a game coaches Bobby Musinguzi and Brian Makalama used the entire matchday squad. Next in line is a duel with Algeria on Sunday at Kyadondo. A win against the North Africans takes Uganda to 10 points to guarantee top spot in Group C into the last eight, facing the pool A runner up.
Man of the match
Adrian Kasito
Next game
Uganda vs Algeria at 3:oopm on 18th July 2021
