Uganda U2O rugby side has been defeated by their Zambian counterparts 21-13 in the ongoing Barthes U20 Championship at Nyayo Stadium in Nairobi.
Zambia was lifted by the precision and ruthlessness in the kicking of flyhalf Tendai Cedric, who kicked 11 points to set up a fifth-place playoff against Cote d’Ivoire.
Uganda broke the deadlock early in the game through the barnstorming carrying of prop Edison Ariho, with young scrumhalf Matthew Musasizi adding the extras to complete the score.
It was Zambia from here on, as Tendai Cedric and his boot took over. He slotted in a penalty to put Zambia on the board.
Later on, a sweet backline move culminated with captain Fred Mtonga diving over for his team’s first try. The first half would end 10-07 in favour of Zambia.
The second half picked up from where the first ended, with Zambia prying Uganda’s defence open with a try in just seven minutes, thanks to flanker Mweembe Charles.
Cedric added two penalties, with Uganda’s Gift Wokorach and Mathew Musasizi adding one each to bring the final score to 21-13.
Uganda will rue the kicking chances missed while in Zambia’s 22 and poor ball handling that saw them concede multiple scrums owing to balls lost forward.
The lineout setpiece, too, looked off on the day, and the coaches will have their work cut out for them if they are to get anything from the last game.
Owing to the loss, Uganda will play Madagascar on Sunday in a 7th-placement playoff to claim at least one scalp to save face, and have a solid base on what to work on when they land back home.
By: James Kavuma
Photo Credit: Denise Namale
