Kenya beats Uganda in American Football Africa Zone Series qualifier

The Kenya White Rhinos could be on their way to representing the East African region in the world championships after beating the Uganda Generals 14-0 in the first leg of the American Football Africa Zone Series qualifier played at the Legends Rugby Ground on Sunday.

The Kenyans scored a touchdown in each half after the Ugandans fumbled with the ball and added the extras in the first half to the lead ahead of the return leg on December 12 in Nairobi.

Uganda’s run-plays were all foiled by the Kenyans in the first half with the slippery ground following a downpour not helping matters before they attempted to use the throwing technique, in the second.

But despite the loss, American Football coach William Cotter who played for the Generals says the Ugandans put on a good show which points to a bright future for the sport in the country.

“The guys worked so hard, they did lots of the right things, we just came up unlucky. There were some crucial moments that we got unlucky but our offense was running very smoothly. These guys gave all their hearts out; it was beautiful to see,” Cotter, who works with Barstool Sports in the US, said.

“What we saw today was very promising. We need to improve on personnel coming in and out during the match, making sure we are set and containing the football.

“They scored a good touchdown on us but the only thing that sucked us was the lack of change. I’m very proud of my team and it has a lot of promise and this is not the last that we are going to see them.

“We ran the football very well but the refereeing was also not good enough but it is a promising performance for the future of football in Uganda,” Cotter stated.

“We played well though it didn’t end the way we expected. We also had a challenge with the referee who was also Kenyan. But as a team, we also need motivation so that after putting our bodies online for the country, there is some financial gain at the end of the day,” Stephen Kinyera, one of the players said.

“Our strategy was to penetrate using our quarterback but the rain also limited us since the ball was slippery,”

The match that was broadcast live on Urban TV doubled as a qualifier for the World Championships that will be held next year in Finland and are also part of preparations for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics which the Ugandans hope to feature in.

Sunday’s match was organized in conjunction with the FHNS Sports Medicine, Scoris International School-Kasanga, and Urban TV.