It’s a do or die affair as Uganda face Kenya in Elgon cup title

By Our Reporter

The Uganda rugby cranes are already in Kenya to battle for the bragging rights of Elgon Cup 2023 at the Jomo Kenyatta Stadium in Kisumu at 4 pm today Saturday.

This is going to be the second meeting both countries faceoff in less than a week, having clashed in the Victoria Cup final last weekend in Kampala with the Uganda Cranes lifting the title of Victoria cup staged at Kings Park rugby grounds winning it 21-20.

The Rugby Cranes team to take on Kenya for the return leg of the Elgon Cup, has four starters not in last week’s starting XV, with the front row remaining unchanged while Robert Aziku is elevated from the bench and replaces Eliphaz Emong.

It is an unchanged back-row with the big engines of Byron Oketayot and last week’s debutantes, Zziwa Moses and Sydney Gongodyo, keeping their places.

It is the mainstay halfback combination of Captain Ivan Magomu and Conrad Wanyama as Innocent Gwokto makes the cut into the inside centre to replace the barnstorming Eric Mula and its only Timothy Kisiga who has kept his position in the back three, with Al-Hajj Manano and Shakim Ssembuusi replacing last week’s wingers, Jacob Ocen and Joseph Oyet.

The Kenya -Simbas have made five changes to the squad, two in the front row where Eugene Sifuna returns to start at hooker after missing the tour of Uganda due to academic commitments.

He will partner with Ephraim Oduor, at loosehead, and Hillary Mwanjilwa, at tighthead. The duo starts ahead of Wilhite Mususi and Teddy Akala, who are on the bench.

Elkeans Musonye returns at openside flank after coming off the bench in last Sunday’s encounter as Paul Mutsami gets the nod at inside centre, partnering Bryceson Adaka in midfield while Derrick Ashiundu returns to the wing, replacing the injured Alfred Orege.

Jone Kubu and Brian Wahinya swap places in the backline, Kubu starting at flyhalf with Wahinya slotting in at fullback.
It should noted that Kenya have won twelve (12) Elgon Cup titles since 2004, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019 while Uganda winning three times since 2006, 2012 and 2015, the question now is who will walk away is the bragging rights 2023.
Uganda Rugby Cranes

STARTERS: 15. Timothy Kisiga, 14. Shakim Ssembuusi, 13. Michael Wokorach, 12. Innocent Gwokto, 11. Al Hajj Manao, 10. Ivan Magomu, 9. Conrad Wanyama, 8. Sydney Gongodyo, 7. Moses Zziwa, 6. Byron Oketayot, 5. Charles Uhuru, 4. Robert Aziku, 3. Asuman Mugerwa, 2. Faragi Odugo and 1. Santos Ssenteza

REPLACEMENTS: 16. Nathan Bwambale, 17. Ivan Kabagambe, 18. Collins Kimbowa, 19. Opio Julius, 20. Frank Kidega, 21.Liam Walker, 22. Joseph Aredo and 23.Nicholas Kato