Rugby Cranes have Kenya in sight as Africa Cup kicks off

By this time next week, the semi-finalists of the 2025 Rugby Africa Cup (RAC) will already be known.

The Rugby Cranes have their sights on being one of those four teams. But to do that, the Rugby Cranes have to beat their archrival, the Kenya Simbas, on the opening day of the RAC, July 8 at Namboole stadium. For the second successive year, Uganda is hosting this prestigious tournament, and having finished fifth last year, the expectation is that they do better.

In the build-up to the 2024 RAC, the anticipation among a host of fans could be touched, only for Uganda to fail at the first hurdle, the quarter-final stage against Zimbabwe, 20-22. Uganda’s failure put an anti-climax on the tournament. That, has in many ways created a sense of caution among many, as they await Kenya.

Worse still, Uganda’s last competitive game was against Kenya in the Elgon Cup late last year, which the Simbas won comprehensively 21-5 at the King’s Park arena in the second leg.

Moreover, this happened at a time when the Ugandan fans’ hopes had been raised from the first leg that had been played in Kenya. Because Uganda had lost the away leg 25-27, there was heightened expectation. Yet, it turned out to be a total disappointment. Therefore, the apprehension is understandable.

Rugby Cranes’ assistant coach Leonard Lubambula understands the skepticism that many a Ugandan rugby fan may be carrying as the big day approaches. But at the same time, Lubambula pointed out how the experiences of last year were a learning platform for them as a team.

“This time we have prepared longer than last year, and the squad is significantly better. Remember, we have also had good trial games to polish up the team,” Lubambula said.

While it is true that the Rugby Cranes have had extended training, which has boosted their physical condition as seen in the impressive displays during the test game against Namibia in the 19-22 loss last month, their last trial game against highly rated South African club, the Pumas, that ended in a 0-102 defeat, was disconcerting.

Muhammad Athiyo, the former Heathens coach opined that going into a major tournament, a team needs good vibes. But he was not sure that after suffering such a humiliating defeat to the Pumas, Uganda’s confidence was not knocked. Uganda finished fifth last year, while Kenya were fourth. But a 2027 Rugby World Cup slot is at stake for the team that wins the RAC this time.