Fixtures| Wednesday 26th April, 2023
Fifth place Semifinals
Côte D’Ivoire Vs Madagascar (9am EAT)
Zambia Vs Uganda (11.30am EAT)
Main cup Semifinals
Zimbabwe Vs Tunisia (2pm EAT)
Namibia Vs Kenya (4.30pm EAT)
As the fifth place placement game approaches, the U20 Uganda Rugby team is set to bounce back in their next game of the 2023 Barthes Trophy in Nairobi, Kenya.
The junior Rugby Cranes suffered a defeat at the hands of their Kenyan counterparts in the quarterfinal tie. Despite scoring three tries and a penalty, they were unable to match the firepower of Kenya’s eight tries, ultimately losing 20-44.
They will now be taking on Zambia who suffered a 12-20 quarterfinal loss to Zimbabwe in their own first game of the campaign. The fifth place placement game is set to be played on day two of the tournament-Wednesday 26th April, 2023 at 11.30am EAT.
While the loss to Kenya was certainly disappointing, the Ugandan side will be looking forward to an opportunity of redeeming themselves and finishing the tournament on a high note and in the highest possible position- fifth.
Captain Calvin Gizamba says the game against Kenya was a good one for them though they were unlucky that the plan executed for the game did not work out as expected.
“Everything has now been worked on, we have stepped up and are ready for Zambia”, he added.
Assistant coach Emmanuel Katuntu confirms the mood in camp is good and he is sure they have done their needed homework for the game against Zambia.
“We have fixed the areas that did not go very well against Kenya, the boys are looking very sharp and I believe they will collect a positive result” he said.
The team finished sixth in the 2022 edition of the Barthes Trophy so finishing a spot higher might just be satisfying as of now, and the upcoming game against Zambia provides that chance for them.
In the other placement fixture, Côte D’Ivoire will be taking on Madagascar, while the 2022 champions Zimbabwe, meet Tunisia in the first main cup semifinal and Namibia will go against hosts Kenya in the second main cup semifinal.
Quarterfinal results
Kenya 44 – 20 Uganda
Madagascar 16 – 54 Tunisia
Namibia 20 – 13 Zambia
Zimbabwe 55 – 00 Côte D’ivoire
