If there is anything that has faced difficulties, it is the premier rugby 15-a-side showpiece on the African continent.
After the loss of Kwese Sports as a sponsor, the formats of the Gold, Silver, and Bronze divisions of the Africa Cup were abandoned by Rugby Afrique, and this saw the revival of the Victoria Cup after its sudden demise in 2011.
In 2010 and 2011, the Victoria Cup was a three-team tournament between Kenya, Zimbabwe, and Uganda. The teams played a round-robin format but the competition would be discontinued in 2012 after Uganda and Zimbabwe withdrew due to financial difficulties.
The Victoria Cup would be held in 2019, the first time since 2011, and featured four nations playing a double round-robin. Uganda would meet Zimbabwe on two occasions; a 26-31 home loss at Legends Rugby Club on 27th July 2019, and a month later on 24th August 2019, an away loss for the Rugby Cranes, losing 32-26.
Almost 5 years later, Zimbabwe and Uganda are locking horns on the continental stage and there are some changes from the team that last played the Sables.
The points scorers
On the fateful day of the loss, 24th August 2019, Uganda scored two tries through Michael Wokorach and Brian Asaba. The Rugby Cranes would add 16 points through Philip Wokorach’s boot i.e. two conversions and four penalties.
Since then, Brian Asaba has retired from rugby to pursue other interests outside of the sport. Michael Wokorach has gone to Captain the rugby Cranes, retired, unretired, and retired again.
He has also gone on to win the Africa 7s as Captain for the National 7s team (Kyadondo, 2022) He still plays for the now 17-time Champions, Heathens. Phillip Wokorach now plies his trade in France, recently signing for Orleans Rugby Club. Phillip has since added two Africa 7s winners medals to his tally (Kyadondo 2022 and Mauritius 2024) bringing his total haul to four.
Backline
Of the backs to start on the day, only Ivan Magomu still wears the Black-Yellow-Red today. The mercurial sea-robber now captains the Rugby Cranes. He has led the Cranes to a Victoria Cup win in 2023.
Ian Munyani, like Phillip Wokorach, now turns out for the National 7s team and recently led the team to the Africa 7s title as Captain. Wingers Paul Masendi, Justin Kimono, and scrumhalf Paul Epillo have all fallen out of favor in the team and are pursuing their professional careers outside rugby.
Forwards
There has been a high level of retention in this particular portion of the team, with the only absentees from this year’s team being Hooker Ronald Kanyanya, Backrower Brian Asaba, and Lock Simon Diego Olet.
Props Santos Ssenteza and Asuman Mugerwa are tipped to start five years and are coming off a gruelling three-month high performance camp in South Africa. In the same line of South Africa campers, Byron Oketayot and Eliphaz Emong are also in the run for a start, almost five years on. Charles Uhuru completes the 5/8 retention from the forwards.
Replacements
Desire Ayera, Pius Ogena, Aaron Ofoywroth, and Adrian Kasito are now mainstays of the National Africa 7s. As recent as July 2024, the four are Africa 7s Champions.
Mike Otto, Saul Kivumbi, and Faraji Odugo are all still with the Rugby Cranes and will be reeling for a chance to have another go at the Zimbabwe Sables. Only Collins Kimbowa was not retained in the team from 2019.
There will be some names on a mission to avenge the double losses in 2019 and there will also be names ready to make their mark against Zimbabwe.
At the end of it all, Uganda Rugby Cranes will be looking to end a losing streak against the Sables that stretches as far back as 2017. On 5th August 2017, Uganda beat Zimbabwe 38-12 courtesy of tries from Brian Asaba, Lawrence Ssebuliba (3), Aaron Ofoywroth, and Phillip Wokorach. The latter kicked in four conversions too.
Courtesy Photos
