Namibia beat Uganda in first Africa Cup encounter
Rugby Africa Cup 1A defending champions Namibia defeated the Uganda Cranes by 40- 31 on Saturday, notching up their first victory in the competition.
The Ugandan backline showed a lot of enterprise and exploited some weaknesses in the Namibian defence to score a few tries that kept them in the hunt until fairly late in the match.
However, Phil Davies and his coaching team will undoubtedly be looking to tighten a few areas before the arrival of Kenya and Zimbabwe.
Tries from Pius Ogena and Philip Wokorach in the first half had only the latter converted by Davis Kiwalabye.
Theuns Kotze, Rohan Kitshoff (2) both touched down for the visitors as the latter commanded a 100% form from his conversion. Namibia led 21-12 at halftime and started the second half strongly, with Chrysander Botha stretching the lead to 26-19. This time round Theuns Kotze failed to convert. It was the second time in the game that his boot failed him.
Chris Lubanga's try was converted by Philip Wokorach, who had earlier failed to score a penalty and couldn’t convert Ogena's try.
Endless shouts from Philip Wokorach for his teammates to pick their man yielded nothing as JC Greyling also touched down. Theuns Kotze never disappointed and touched down for a 33-19 lead.
Joseph Aredo came on for Chris Lubanga and with his first touch he aimed for the try line. Philip Wokorach failed to convert.
Oscar Kalyango came on for Gerald Sewankambo as John Duncan tried to chase the game, Theuns Kotze's penalty took the game to a 35-19 lead for the Namibians.
There was still something left in Philip Wokorach as he touched down but he failed again to convert, 40-31 Namibia led. Namibia spent the last minutes of the game playing the kicking game as they tried to run down the clock, it was clear they were tied and all they needed was to defend their lead.
The Cranes now need to win one of their other two games against Zimbabwe (July 16) and Kenya (July 31) to stand any chance of avoiding relegation to CAR Tier 1B, while Namibia next face Kenya on 16 July and Zimbabwe on 6 August.
Namibia’s starting 15: Casper Viviers, Gerhard Lotter, AJ de Klerk, Janco Venter, Tjiuee Uanivi (captain), Rohan Kitshoff, Tinus du Plessis, Leneve Damens, Eugene Jantjies, Theuns Kotze (vice-captain), Gino Wilson, Johan Deysel, JC Greyling, Chrysander Botha and Johan Tromp.
Replacements: Louis van der Westhuizen, Collen Smith, Quinton Esterhuizen, Ruan Ludick, Muniovita Kasiringua, Arthur Bouwer, Darryl de la Harpe and Heinrich Smit
Uganda’s starting 15: Asuman Mugerwa, Cyrus Wathum, Brian Odongo (Captain), Charles Uhuru, Byron Oketayot, Ronald Musajja, Pius Ogena, Marvin Odongo, Davis Kiwalyabye, Chris Lubanga, Lawrence Sebuliba, Gerald Sewankambo, Michael Wokorach (Vice Captain), James Odong, Phillip Wokorach
Replacements: Eric Kasiita, Collins Kimbowa, Saul Kivumbi, John Wandicho, Bryan Asaba, Ivan Makmot, Oscar Kalyango, Joseph Aredo.
KAWOWO SPORTS
The Ugandan backline showed a lot of enterprise and exploited some weaknesses in the Namibian defence to score a few tries that kept them in the hunt until fairly late in the match.
However, Phil Davies and his coaching team will undoubtedly be looking to tighten a few areas before the arrival of Kenya and Zimbabwe.
Tries from Pius Ogena and Philip Wokorach in the first half had only the latter converted by Davis Kiwalabye.
Theuns Kotze, Rohan Kitshoff (2) both touched down for the visitors as the latter commanded a 100% form from his conversion. Namibia led 21-12 at halftime and started the second half strongly, with Chrysander Botha stretching the lead to 26-19. This time round Theuns Kotze failed to convert. It was the second time in the game that his boot failed him.
Chris Lubanga's try was converted by Philip Wokorach, who had earlier failed to score a penalty and couldn’t convert Ogena's try.
Endless shouts from Philip Wokorach for his teammates to pick their man yielded nothing as JC Greyling also touched down. Theuns Kotze never disappointed and touched down for a 33-19 lead.
Joseph Aredo came on for Chris Lubanga and with his first touch he aimed for the try line. Philip Wokorach failed to convert.
Oscar Kalyango came on for Gerald Sewankambo as John Duncan tried to chase the game, Theuns Kotze's penalty took the game to a 35-19 lead for the Namibians.
There was still something left in Philip Wokorach as he touched down but he failed again to convert, 40-31 Namibia led. Namibia spent the last minutes of the game playing the kicking game as they tried to run down the clock, it was clear they were tied and all they needed was to defend their lead.
The Cranes now need to win one of their other two games against Zimbabwe (July 16) and Kenya (July 31) to stand any chance of avoiding relegation to CAR Tier 1B, while Namibia next face Kenya on 16 July and Zimbabwe on 6 August.
Namibia’s starting 15: Casper Viviers, Gerhard Lotter, AJ de Klerk, Janco Venter, Tjiuee Uanivi (captain), Rohan Kitshoff, Tinus du Plessis, Leneve Damens, Eugene Jantjies, Theuns Kotze (vice-captain), Gino Wilson, Johan Deysel, JC Greyling, Chrysander Botha and Johan Tromp.
Replacements: Louis van der Westhuizen, Collen Smith, Quinton Esterhuizen, Ruan Ludick, Muniovita Kasiringua, Arthur Bouwer, Darryl de la Harpe and Heinrich Smit
Uganda’s starting 15: Asuman Mugerwa, Cyrus Wathum, Brian Odongo (Captain), Charles Uhuru, Byron Oketayot, Ronald Musajja, Pius Ogena, Marvin Odongo, Davis Kiwalyabye, Chris Lubanga, Lawrence Sebuliba, Gerald Sewankambo, Michael Wokorach (Vice Captain), James Odong, Phillip Wokorach
Replacements: Eric Kasiita, Collins Kimbowa, Saul Kivumbi, John Wandicho, Bryan Asaba, Ivan Makmot, Oscar Kalyango, Joseph Aredo.
KAWOWO SPORTS
Comments
Namibian Sun
No comments have been left on this article