Rugby Cranes take centre stage today in Accra

It is a historic moment as the sport of rugby takes centre stage today at the ongoing Africa Games in Accra, Ghana. 

It is the first time rugby is going to be played at the games and the round-robin format is designed where the winner will take it all.

Uganda is featuring two teams, the Rugby Cranes and Lady Rugby Cranes Sevens.

After burying chances of qualifying for the 2025 World Rugby series in Montevideo, Uruguay, the Rugby Cranes want to use this tournament as a heart warmer for the coming tournaments.

"Yes, the chances for the World Series are almost closed, we want to use the Africa Games as a consolation to us, we have come for gold, and the boys know this," Rugby Cranes 7s captain Ian Munyani stated.

"We have played all the teams before apart from Benin, and therefore we know what it takes, and we want to be the first country to win the rugby gold in the games," Munyani added.

The Nile Special sponsored Rugby Cranes 7s will face Zimbabwe, Burkina Faso, Tunisia, Benin, Kenya, and Ghana the host.

Today, Uganda will play two games, Zimbabwe and Tunisia.

Players in Accra include Philip Wokorach, Aaron Ofoyrwoth, Adrian Kasito, Ian Munyani (Captain), Timothy Mugisha, Isac Massangazira, Norbert Okeny, Desire Ayera, Denis Etwau, Pius Ogena, Timothy Kisiga and Alex Aturinda.

Africa Games, Rugby, Men

Today, Tuesday
Uganda vs Zimbabwe 2:22pm
Uganda vs Tunisia 5:44pm

Tomorrow, Wednesday
Men
Uganda vs Burkina Faso 1:06pm
Uganda vs Ghana 3:50pm

Women
Uganda vs Tunisia 12:22pm
Uganda vs Ghana 2:30pm

For the women, the Lady Rugby Cranes 7s maintained their fourth position from Dubai to Montevideo, a gold in Accra will be the icing on the cake.

With the same format as in the men's category, Uganda plays Madagascar, Nigeria, Tunisia and hosts Ghana starting tomorrow.

"We are here for nothing less than mining gold." Lady Rugby Cranes 7s captain Peace Lekuru assured.

The players in Accra include captain Peace Lekuru, Agnes Nakuya, Rittah Nadunga, Grace Auma, Lydia Namabiro, Sarah Kirabo, Sandra Amoli, Juliet Nandawula, Mayimuna Nassozi, Mary Gloria Ayot, Grace Nabaggala and Racheal Mufuwa.