High stakes as Kenya Simbas host Uganda Cranes at RFUEA
What you need to know:
- The duel will also mark the start of the Rugby Africa Cup Division 1A championships now christened Gold Cup.
- The championship will ends on August 5.
- The teams will try to avoid relegation to Silver Cup next season as this would mean the end of their 2019 Japan World Cup dream.
There will be more to it than just pride and honour for defending champions Kenya Simbas and Uganda Cranes when they face-off in the second leg of the Elgon Cup at the RFUEA grounds Saturday afternoon.
The duel will also mark the start of the Rugby Africa Cup Division 1A championships now christened Gold Cup.
The championship, that will be played on a round robin format ends on August 5, will involve champions Namibia, Tunisia, Senegal and Zimbabwe. The teams will try to avoid relegation to Silver Cup next season as this would mean the end of their 2019 Japan World Cup dream.
Next year’s Rugby Africa Gold Cup will be used as the qualifier round of the Rugby World Cup and it is therefore important to competing teams. The winning team of the 2017 Silver Cup will be promoted to Gold Cup while others are relegated.
The Simbas goes into the match that will be handled by French national Laurent Cardona with a slim 23-18 victory from the first leg in Kampala a fortnight ago. Cardona will be assisted by Zimbabwean Tinashe Kamwenje and Madagascar’s Stephane Rakatonirainy.
POLISHED UP RUCKING
Newcastle Falcons back-row Joshua Chisanga, who will now start after coming off the bench in the first leg, said they have polished up their rucking and scrummages and Cranes should be ready for bruising battle.
“We should have done better against Cranes in the first leg but we have corrected our mistakes which should be reflected in the game,” said Chisanga, who has featured for the English Premier League side Newcastle Falcons for 18 months.
But deputy skipper Davis Chenge has warned the hosts against underestimating today’s opponents. “They have greatly improved and so sure they will have something to offer,” said Chenge, who urged Kenyans to turn up in numbers to cheer the team to victory.
Kenya has made three changes to the side from the first leg, bringing in Homeboyz’s enterprising backrow Steve “Security” Otieno, Mwamba centre Brad Owako and experienced KCB’s fly-half Kenny Andola. They will, however, they will start on the bench. Otieno and Owako are making their debut for Kenya.
Cranes coach John Duncan has predicted a close encounter against Simbas.
“It’s going to be a tight affair. Any contest, any derby between two neighbours is always going to be a tough game. Both teams will go full out to win the game,” said the tactician from South Africa.
