Uganda Rugby Cranes face relegation showdown against Ivory Coast
The Uganda Rugby Cranes are staring at possible relegation from the Rugby Africa Cup top division, with only a win against Ivory Coast this Saturday standing between them and the drop.
Their opponents, Ivory Coast, have also struggled in this year’s tournament. The West African side has managed just 9 points (none from tries) as all their points have come via penalty kicks. Last season, they narrowly avoided relegation after defeating Burkina Faso in a tense playoff. Uganda, on the other hand, finished fifth following a tough encounter with Senegal.
This season has been a different story for the Cranes, who have delivered two lackluster performances and looked a shadow of their former selves. Despite the team’s current predicament, captain Byron Oketayot remains optimistic.
“Right now, it is really painful that we are playing a relegation battle,” he admitted. “But we are going to win the game.”
Decision making under the microscope
Uganda’s decision-making under pressure has raised eyebrows, particularly during their match against Morocco. Late in the first half, the Cranes earned several penalties within Morocco’s five-meter zone but opted for scrums on three consecutive occasions instead of kicking for points.
Oketayot defended the strategy: “The rules are basic when you get more than three penalties on the scrum, you get a penalty try. When you make the decision to go for the scrum down, of course, there is something you are targeting.”
With everything on the line, the Cranes’ tactical choices against Ivory Coast will be critical. When asked whether they would consider kicking for poles in similar situations, Oketayot emphasized adaptability.
“It is situational. Every game you approach differently. We have to watch how they play because you handle a game at a time,” he said.
Kick-Off change raises eyebrows
Adding to the intensity, the relegation playoff’s kick-off time has been moved from the original 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. a decision that has sparked mixed reactions from Ugandan fans.
With their top-tier status hanging by a thread, the Cranes now face a defining moment. For Uganda, this is more than just a game: it’s a fight for pride, legacy, and survival.
