MAURITIUS – Uganda has claimed victory in the first round of the 2024 Rugby Africa Men’s 7s. The Ugandan team defeated Madagascar 31-12 in the Cup Final held at the Labourdonnais Sports Club in Mauritius.
Uganda’s First Lady, Janet Museveni, extended her congratulations to the Uganda Sevens team, praising their passion and the joy brought by their win.
Match Summary
The Uganda 7s team emerged as winners of the Africa Men’s 7s first leg with a decisive 31-12 victory over Madagascar. The final match was played at the Labourdonnais Sports Grounds in Mauritius.
The match began with Aaron Ofoywroth scoring the opening try in the right corner after skillfully beating his markers on the wing. Despite Madagascar gaining possession and attempting to mount a counterattack, they lost the ball, allowing Uganda to launch another offensive.
Timothy Kisiga sidestepped his marker and passed to Adrian Kasito, who scored a try. Philip Wokorach converted, giving Uganda a 12-0 lead. Madagascar responded with a kick and chase, reducing the gap to 12-5. However, a switch in play saw Wokorach assist Ofoywroth for Uganda’s third try.
After halftime, Madagascar scored a converted try, bringing their total to 12 points. Uganda’s Nobert Okeny then beat the defense to score, extending Uganda’s lead to 24-12. Kisiga later dived over for another try, securing Uganda’s victory. Wokorach’s conversion sealed the final score at 31-12.
Uganda’s Path to the Final
Uganda had a strong start, topping Pool B on the opening day. They faced Côte d’Ivoire in the Cup Quarterfinals, securing a narrow 15-10 victory. In the Cup Semifinals, Uganda defeated South Africa 12-0, setting the stage for their final showdown against Madagascar.
Tournament Highlights
South Africa claimed third place with a commanding 35-7 win over Burkina Faso. After a closely contested first half, South Africa scored 22 points in the second half to secure the victory.
Upcoming Competitions
The teams will now shift their focus to the second leg of the tournament, which will take place next weekend. Uganda aims to maintain their form and secure overall victory, seeking qualification for the 2025 World Challenger Series.
Day 2 Results Summary
Quarterfinal Matches:
- Uganda 10-10 Ivory Coast (Uganda wins in extra-time)
- Kenya Morans 7-12 South Africa
- Zimbabwe Cheetahs 21-24 Burkina Faso
- Madagascar 12-5 Mauritius
Ninth Place Semifinals:
- Zambia 28-21 Algeria
- Nigeria 19-5 Tunisia
Fifth Place Semifinals:
- Ivory Coast 7-22 Kenya
- Zimbabwe Cheetahs 42-7 Mauritius
Cup Semifinals:
- Uganda 12-0 South Africa
- Burkina Faso 19-24 Madagascar (AET)
Finals:
- 11th Place: Algeria 10-14 Tunisia
- Ninth Place: Zambia 22-7 Nigeria
- 7th Place: Ivory Coast 24-19 Mauritius
- Fifth Place: Kenya 19-28 Zimbabwe
- Third Place: South Africa 35-7 Burkina Faso
- Cup Final: Uganda 31-12 Madagascar
The victory in the Cup Final puts Uganda at the top of the rankings table with twenty points, ahead of Madagascar and South Africa. The pools for the second round will be drawn later this week.
