Uganda Rugby Cranes 7s open their Commonwealth Games campaign on Friday, 29th July as they come up against neighbors Kenya Shujaa.
The Rugby 7s event of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games will be played at Coventry stadium in Coventry and is scheduled for 29th to 31st July. There are four pools of four teams in the competition.
The Uganda charges have been training at the Backstreet rugby football club in Coventry and the camp is oozing confidence ahead of the opener.
The arrival of France based Philip Wokorach over 24 hours ago was a big boost to the side and the king of side steps believes now is the time for Cranes to soar.
“Uganda are not underdogs anymore,” Wokorach said adding that the level of Rugby Cranes 7s has gone up and the boys could get out of the group stage for the first time.
Wokorach who is not new to Kenyans says that a victory over the East African neighbors is very possible if the side execute their game plan.
It will be the second time Kenya and Uganda 7s sides meet this year having clashed in the semifinal of the Rugby Africa Men’s 7s held at Kyadondo Rugby Club in Kampala in April. The former triumphed off a 22-12 victory before beating Zimbabwe Cheetahs 28-00 in the finals.
Uganda and Kenyan are seeded in Pool D for alongside Jamaica and Australia.
The winner between Kenya and Uganda will most likely go past the group stage. Australia are likely to have an easy walk in the park whilst Jamaica who are underdogs while most likely throw away all the points.
Meanwhile, hosting nation England are in Pool A. The other teams in the same group are; title holders New Zealand, Samoa and Sri Lanka.
Pool B has South Africa, Scotland, Tonga and Malaysia while Pool C has Fiji, Canada, Wales and another African side Zambia.
Rugby Cranes 7s Squad for Commonwealth Games
Ian Munyani (KOBs)
Adrian Kasito (KOBs)
William Nkore (Pirates)
Philip Wokorach (France)
Timothy Kisiga (Pirates)
Michael Wokorach (Heathens)
Desire Ayera (Pirates)
Aaron Ofoyrowth (Heathens)
Isaac Massanganzira (Pirates)
Okeny Nobert (Heathens)
Claude Otema (Heathens)
Karim Arinaitwe (KOBs)
Alex Aturinda (Pirates)
Levis Ocen (Buffaloes).
