The mood around the 12-women contingent of the Lady Rugby Cranes preparing to travel to Nairobi, Kenya on Thursday, November 13 for the Africa Rugby Sevens championship is quite upbeat.
In fact, they are quietly confident of going one step better. Over the last three Africa Rugby Sevens Championships, without a doubt, the Lady Rugby Cranes have been one of the best teams on the continent.
They have finished with bronze each time, a mark of their development as a team, showcased by their consistency. The fourth one in 2021 saw them finish fourth, but since then they have been on an organic rise. Yet, according to coach Charles Onen, they are not where they surely feel they should be.
“We have not played an Africa Sevens Championship final like our male counterparts have over the years. We would like to reach a final this time, because we have been putting in the work. But also, we have finished third in the last three editions of this prestigious tournament. To show that we are progressing, this is the time to make a push forward,” Onen said.
The focus this time is on ensuring that the Lady Rugby Cranes qualify for the Challenger Series next year. It is a milestone that Uganda’s neighbours Kenya have already realized. Therefore, for Uganda to realize that, the shortcut is winning the tournament that runs from November 15 to 16.
But that is easier said than done. Nairobi is going to be host to South Africa too, a team that has been unstoppable in the previous editions. Therefore, like Onen admitted, a real battle awaits his side.
Yet, he remains quietly confident in his charges’ powers to do the job. For a host of players on this team, they have been at this stage before. This translates to the much needed experience, which as the saying goes: Wins you cups. Yet, one wonders why they have previously come short despite showing so much promise?
Onen said: “As a team, we have been learning from every tournament. But also the more you play together at the top level, the better you become. Now, we know how crucial it is for us to be quick in the tackle in order to deny the opponent.”
Matters are helped by the fact that for a host of the players in Onen’s team, their domestic 7s season just concluded in late September. That should come in handy in ensuring that as they travel to Nairobi, they are in good form and physically fit.
In addition, the team has been boosted by the return of key players like Peace Lekuru. At 25, Lekuru was the first Ugandan female rugby player to sign for a club in the United Kingdom, York Valkyrie, in August.
Lekuru is such an important piece in this team for not only her technical ability (MVP in 2022 and 2023), but also her leadership qualities. However, while Onen is undoubtedly happy that she is back to play for the Lady Rugby Cranes, he insisted that it is all about the team.
He said that his team is an all functional component, where every individual on it is as important as the other. It is the team ethic, Onen, added, that has enabled them make the strides in international rugby, and that is why they are buoyant heading into the weekend.
About the Author
