Uganda dominated the African Sevens Championship, cruising past Tunisia, Burkina Faso, and Ivory Coast in the group stages before defeating Zambia in the quarterfinals and Zimbabwe in the semifinals.
The Rugby Cranes Sevens had already secured pole position by winning the first round the previous week. Their place in the final was assured after South Africa defeated Uganda’s closest challenger, Madagascar, 36-14 in the other semifinal.
Zimbabwe, who had dashed Kenya’s hopes of retaining the title with a 10-7 win in the quarterfinals, provided stiff competition for the Cranes but couldn’t sustain their challenge.
Aaron Ofoyrwoth gave Uganda an early lead by converting his own try, but Ryan Musumhi’s conversion of Edward Sigauke’s try brought the game level by halftime. Coach Tolbert Onyango’s halftime pep talk worked wonders as Timothy Kisiga scored shortly after the restart, though Ofoyrwoth missed the conversion.
Nobert Okeny added a third try, but Ofoyrwoth missed the conversion again. Despite the missed kicks, Uganda’s confidence soared, and Kisiga scored another try, with Ofoyrwoth finally nailing the conversion to seal the game at 24-7.
With Madagascar losing to South Africa in the other semifinal, Uganda was effectively crowned champion, as even a loss in the final would leave them with an unassailable 38 points.
In the final, Uganda went all out. Etwau scored in the early exchanges, and Alex Aturinda doubled the lead a minute later. South Africa pulled one back, but Etwau ensured a 15-5 lead at halftime with another trademark run. The Blitzboks caught Uganda off guard at the restart, taking a 17-15 lead.
Uganda had a chance to take a penalty but opted for a scrum instead. This decision paid off as Ofoyrwoth scored a decisive try, securing the victory and the championship for Uganda.
Uganda finished with a perfect 40 points out of 40, claiming the African title for the fourth time and becoming the second most successful team in the tournament’s history after Kenya, who have won it six times.
