One of the 2023 revelations in the game of rugby that has opened 2024 with fireworks, Tina Akello, is our star of the day.
The stylish flyhalf who plays for Jinja female side, Nile Rapids RFC, and Uganda Lady Rugby Cranes guided her Rapids to their first major silverware last Saturday.
The Uganda Cup victory after beating the defending champions Avengers in the final was the first for any side across the River Nile, and to be more specific, outside the Central Region.
Star ⭐ of the day!
— Nnalubaale Sports (@NnalubaaleS) January 27, 2024
Saturday is rugby day and today, we are celebrating one of the 2023 revelations in the game that has opened 2024 with fireworks, TINA AKELLO!
Courtesy📸 | @WomensRugbyInUg | #GoLocal🏉
A thread 🧵 pic.twitter.com/sIMaMJ480y
Now, the underdog tag is no more since they managed to defeat another giant in Black Pearls. Well, it is safe to call them the giant slayers.
Well, to many who aren’t familiar with most of the Rapids faces, this team has been together for some good time and they have a leader in Akello who brings national team magic to the little but solid girls.
Remember when ladies played rugby at Mutesa II Wankulukuku stadium, well Akello was part of that Lady Cranes squad that finished second behind Kenya.
Her brilliant game-reading and jaw-dropping kicking kept her name in the books and last year, she had two outings under her belt for the national 15s side.
The first one away in Kisumu, Kenya was one to forget but thanks to Akello’s penalty, Uganda managed to get something to the scoreboard as the rusty side lost 87-3.
The next stop was in Tunisia and the Lady Cranes lost to the hosts in their first test match 27-17 in Tunisia. Angella Nanyonjo, Emilly Lekuru, and Juliet Nandawula scored the tries with Akello managing to convert one.
With players out injured, the Lady Cranes suffered their second defeat 53-13. Uganda scored a penalty through Akello and two unconverted tries through Emilly Lekuru and Leona Acen.
Back home, last year during the Rotary GirlChild 7s Tournament at Kyadondo, Akello won the Golden Boot for the U20 category with five conversions on her name.
This means more!
Courtesy Photos
