The Uganda Rugby Cranes and Women’s team have arrived in Nairobi ahead of the safari sevens tournament scheduled for 30 and 31 October 2021 at Nyayo Stadium.
The Safari Sevens is an annual rugby sevens tournament held in Nairobi, Kenya. The Safari Sevens is open to international representative sides, professional and amateur clubs, invitational teams, university, and school teams.
Uganda’s contingent is comprised of the senior men’s and women’s team were flagged off yesterday evening by the national 7s team sponsors Guinness Uganda, National Council of Sports, and the Uganda Rugby Union at the National council premises at Lugogo.
Ian Munyani will captain the men’s team and will be assisted by Aaron Ofoyworth while Mary Gloria Ayot will captain the ladies with assistance from Juliet Nandawula
Speaking at the send-off the captain Ian Munyani spoke to the fact that although they have only trained for 3 days, he is confident that they can bring victory home since players have been playing in the national sevens hence are fit for the safari sevens.
“We are partially prepared for this tournament given the fact that we have prepared for only three days. But the positive side is that we have been playing the Guinness nationals sevens, so players are fit enough to play these games,” Munyuni said.
The Rugby Cranes will be playing alongside the Defending Champions Morans in Group C that also includes teams like Spain and KCB while the Lady Rugby Cranes will be played on a round-robin format and will lock horns with Zimbabwe, South Africa’s Titans Academy and two Kenya teams that is Lioness I and Lioness II.
The top two teams from each pool as well as the two best third-placed finishers will reach the quarters on Sunday.
The Squads:
Lady Rugby Cranes – Agnes Nakuya, Emily Lekuru, Emily Nanziri, Maimunah Nassozi, Nalubega Yudaya, Peace Lekuru, Susan Adong, Yvonne Najjuma, Nadunga Rita, Grace Auma.
Rugby Cranes – Kevin Balagadde, Adrian Kasito, Levis Ocen, Karim Arinaitwe, Ivan Otema, Innocent Gwokto, Nobert Okeny, Timothy Kisiga, Byron Oketayot, Denis Etwau
The Safari Sevens Pools
Men:
Pool A – Shujaa, Zimbabwe, Germany, Stallion 7s
Pool B – Samurai, SA All-Stars 7s Academy, Red Wailers, Chipu 7s
Pool C: Spain, Morans, Uganda, KCB
Women:
Kenya Lioness I, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Titans Rugby Academy, Kenya Lionesses