The Rugby Cranes have named the team to take on Kenya for the return leg of the Elgon Cup, with four starters not in last week’s starting XV.
The front row remains unchanged while Robert Aziku is elevated from the bench and replaces Eliphaz Emong.
It is an unchanged back-row with the big engines of Byron Oketayot and last week’s debutantes, Zziwa Moses and Sydney Gongodyo, keeping their places.
It is the mainstay halfback combination of Ivan Magomu and Conrad Wanyama as Innocent Gwokto makes the cut into the inside centre to replace the barnstorming Eric Mula.
Only Timothy Kisiga has kept his position in the back three, with Al-Hajj Manano and Shakim Ssembuusi replacing last week’s wingers, Jacob Ocen and Joseph Oyet.
Jippos Hippos’s Julius “Tall” Opio will wait to make his debut from the bench as Collins Kimbowa and Joseph Aredo return to the fold via the bench.
Kenya Simbas made two changes in the front row, with Eugene Sifuna and Hillary Mwanjilwa returning.
Elkeans Musonye has been elevated from last week’s bench into a starting position this week.
Jone Kubu and Brian Wahinya have swapped places, with Kubu starting at flyhalf and Wahinya slotting in at fullback.
Uganda Rugby Cranes
STARTERS: 15. Timothy Kisiga, 14. Shakim Ssembuusi, 13. Michael Wokorach, 12. Innocent Gwokto, 11. Al Hajj Manao, 10. Ivan Magomu, 9. Conrad Wanyama, 8. Sydney Gongodyo, 7. Moses Zziwa, 6. Byron Oketayot, 5. Charles Uhuru, 4. Robert Aziku, 3. Asuman Mugerwa, 2. Faragi Odugo, 1. Santos Ssenteza
REPLACEMENTS: 16. Nathan Bwambale, 17. Ivan Kabagambe, 18. Collins Kimbowa, 19. Opio Julius, 20. Frank Kidega, 21.Liam Walker, 22. Joseph Aredo, 23.Nicholas Kato
Kenya Simbas
STARTERS: 15.Brian Wahinya, 14. Joel Inzuga, 13. Bryceson Adaka, 12. Paul Mutsami, 11. Derrick Ashiundu, 10. Jone Kubu, 9. Barry Young, 1. Ephraim Oduor, 2. Eugene Sifuna, 3. Hillary Mwanjilwa, 4. Hibrahim Ayoo, 5. Hillary Odhiambo, 6. George Nyambua (Captain), 7. Elkeans Musonye, 8. Jeanson Misoga
REPLACEMENTS 16. Teddy Akala, 17. Thomas Okidia, 18. Wilhite Mususi, 19. Brian Ndirangu, 20. Peter Waitere, 21. Dan Ang’wech, 22. Shem Okola (debut), 23. Andrew Matoka
Elgon Cup History, as shared from the Kenya Rugby Union website
On four occasions, 2010, 2011, 2019 and 2023, it has been part of the Victoria Cup, a regional tournament featuring Zambia and Zimbabwe.
There have been 28 previous men’s Elgon Cup matches
Kenya have won 14
Kenya “A” have won 2
Uganda have won 11
There has been one draw
There have been 18 previous women’s Elgon Cup matches
Kenya has won 10
Uganda has won 7
There has been one draw
Previous Elgon Cup Titles
Men
Kenya 12 titles ( 2004,2007,2008,2009,2010,2011,2013,2014,2016,2017,2018,2019
Uganda 3 (2006,2012,2015)
Women
Kenya 6 ( 2009, 2010, 2012, 2014,2015, 2019)
Uganda 2 (2006,2008)
Men’s Elgon Cup
5 Nov 2023, Kampala, Uganda 21 Kenya 20
13 July 2019, Kampala, Uganda 5 Kenya 16
22 June 2019, Kisumu, Kenya 13 Uganda 16
7 July 2018, Nairobi, Kenya 38 Uganda 22
26 May 2018, Kampala, Uganda 16 Kenya 34
24 June 2017, Nairobi, Kenya 33 Uganda 33
10 June 2017, Kampala, Uganda 15 Kenya 23
30 July 2016, Nairobi, Kenya 45 Uganda 24
4 June 2016, Kampala, Uganda 10 Kenya 48
20 June 2015, Kampala, Uganda 30 Kenya “A” 25
13 June 2015, Nairobi, Kenya “A” 20 Uganda 17
21 July 2014, Nairobi, Kenya “A” 34 Uganda 0
14 July 2014 Kampala, Uganda 21 Kenya “A” 14
22 Jun 2013, Kampala, Uganda 13 Kenya 19
15 Jun 2013, Nairobi, Kenya 16 Uganda 17
28 April 2012, Nairobi, Kenya 12 Uganda 0
21 April 2012, Kampala, Uganda 19 Kenya 5
16 July 2011, Kampala, Uganda 32 Kenya 18
9 July 2011, Nairobi, Kenya 27 Uganda 10
10 July 2010,Nairobi, Kenya 21 Uganda 5
3 July 2010, Kampala, Kenya 33 Uganda 25
29 August 2009, Kampala, Uganda 18 Kenya 13
15 August 2009, Nairobi, Kenya 30 Uganda 22
16 August 2008, Nairobi, Kenya 39 Uganda 20
24 May 2008, Kampala, Uganda 20 Kenya 3
26 May 2007, Kampala, Uganda 29 Kenya 10
12 August 2006, Nairobi, Kenya 20 Uganda 22
31 July 2004, Nairobi, Kenya 18 Uganda 8
Women’s Elgon Cup
13 May 2006, Nairobi,Kenya 0 Uganda 24
12 August 2006, Kampala,Uganda 3 Kenya 0
2007 No competition
24 May 2008,Kampala, Uganda 18 Kenya 7
16 Aug 2008, Nairobi, Kenya 15 Uganda 13
15 Aug 2009, Nairobi, Kenya 38 Uganda 5
29 Aug 2009, Kampala, Uganda 12 Kenya 5
3 Jul 2010, Kampala, Uganda 8 Kenya 5
10 Jul 2010, Nairobi, Kenya 16 Uganda 8
9 Jul 2011, Nairobi, Kenya 22 Uganda 10
16 Jul 2011,Kampala, Uganda 29 Kenya 10
21 Apr 2012, Kampala, Uganda 15 Kenya 6
28 Apr 2012, Nairobi, Kenya 15 Uganda 3
12 Jul 2014, Kampala, Uganda 15 Kenya 33
19 Jul 2014, Nairobi, Kenya 39 Uganda 10
13 Jun 2015, Nairobi, Kenya 5 Uganda 5
20 Jun 2015, Kampala, Uganda 6 Kenya 7
22 Jun 2019, Kisumu, Kenya 44 Uganda 13
13 Jul 2019, Kampala, Uganda 5 Kenya 35
Courtesy Photos
