How losing to Zimbabwe was so costly to the Rugby Cranes

On the surface of it, the Sevens Rugby Cranes deserved to be applauded for their showcase during the Africa Sevens Series at the Kyadondo rugby grounds in Lugogo over the weekend of September 26 and 27.

Considering that in 2025, they finished fifth, this year’s runners-up conclusion was a mark of growth from the team. However, seeing how dejected the players were following a 26-19 defeat at the hands of Zimbabwe, there was clearly more than met the eye.

Roy Kizito, one of the team members said that as a team, their ultimate target was winning the series in order to qualify for the HSBC Sevens Series division three tournament. That is slated for early next year. Qualifying for that stage would have given Uganda an opportunity to face off with big opposition like Germany, Portugal, and Uruguay among others.

In fact, the Uganda Rugby Union (URU) has harboured interest to hosting that tournament, which would be a huge boost to the commercial side of the governing body. Every time Uganda has hosted major international tournaments, URU has generated more revenue to help facilitate its other development programmes within its borders.

In addition, there is extended support that comes in from the international bodies that run the sport of rugby, both on the continent and around the globe. For a body that is still growing, every additional penny comes in handy at this point. But at the same time, for the young Ugandan side, more playing time at the international level brings more exposure and builds experience.

For the team that played last weekend, only six players were retained from the one that won the Africa Sevens in 2024, when Mauritius hosted. The likes of Timothy Mugisha, Aaron Ofoyrwoth, Isaac Massanganzira, Pius Ogena, Timothy Kisiga, and Adrian Kasito were missing for different reasons.

In fact, that successful 2024 side, which was again captained by Ian Munyani as was the case this time, beat South Africa in the final 20-17, with the last play. During those series, Uganda was the only unbeaten side over the two week period, when that championship was played.

This was success that was coming on the back of the 2022 triumph at Kyadondo by largely the same side. It was evident that this team, which was handled by Tolbert Onyango then, had been heavily galvanized by experience acquired from previous tournaments.

But at the same time, these charges had been together long, which boosted team chemistry. Some observers felt that a bit of poor coordination cost the 7s Rugby Cranes last weekend.

Otherwise, it was difficult for many to understand how they would lose their 12-0 advantage in the last play of the first half, when PK Manyakara broke the lines against the run of play to bring Zimbabwe back in the game.

Coach Allan Otim, who was clearly disappointed by the final result noted that as a team they had errors in judgement which cost them. But he believed that it was all part of the growth process, and therefore they would come back stronger.

In real time, during the tournament, there were arguments about Uganda’s struggles in having an established play-maker for the team. Suggestions that this team would have done with the qualities of Ofoyrwoth and Kisiga emerged.

But at the same time, Uganda’s tackling was not seen to be firm enough from all the players, which enabled the Cheetahs of Zimbabwe to knock the door down, when they should never have found it easy.

That said, the Zimbabwe captain Tapiwa Malenga said something that was so profound in enabling them succeed. He noted that as a unit they have played together for a while now at major competitions, which has enabled them construct a strong unit.

Perhaps, if Uganda’s 7s side from four years ago remained largely intact, Zimbabwe would never stood a chance. It is a life lesson that Uganda may have to learn as they build this current team that continues to have its sights on making it to division two in the future.

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