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rugbynationug · 6 years

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Rugby Cranes Coach John Duncan Justifies His Team’s Performance During The Gold Cup

Rugby Cranes tactician John Duncan has given his personal assessment on the Rugby Cranes team performance during the 2018 Rugby Africa Gold Cup that ended over the weekend. This year, Rugby Cranes declined in performance as compared to last year’s where they finished in the third place with sixteen points off three wins, one draw and just one loss to champions Namibia. This time round they finished still as third but with nine points off two wins and three losses. Starting his assessment on the negative side, Coach Duncan blamed the absence of major senior players as one of the key causes of decline in performance. ”Veteran players are important in the team and when we lost them we experienced a huge setback. They should at least be around to inspire the young boys,” Coach Duncan noted.

Scott Olouch (far left) didnt feature for the cranes this year

Brian Odong (1) -the then captain, Alex Mubiru (2), Mathias Ochwo (5), Scout Olouch (8) and Lawrence Ssebuliba (14) were in the 2017 team and were experts in the game but they made show in 2018 on various grounds. Their absence was greatly felt for some of them were replaced with rookies and debutants. John Duncan also added that losing two fixtures in a row was a huge blow to his side. ”That was a hard start to the campaign and it affected us a lot,” Duncan stated. Uganda lost its two first fixtures on the road against Namibia and Kenya respectively before returning to winning ways. John Duncan also lamented the congestion in fixtures as one of the effects of the team’s decline in performance. ”Playing week in week out is not easy especially if you are travelling. The players get exhausted yet this is a top tier,” Duncan said. He also added that personal errors from players on set pieces and handling errors was another issue but he ironed it out at the end of the campaign. However, he observed that the boys were comfortable playing at home after winning their two straight ties against Tunisia and Morocco before collapsing to Zimbabwe during the finale. ”Everybody enjoyed playing in front of friends and family and the home fixtures justified that,” Duncan noted.

Also read:http://rugbynationuganda.co.ug/playing-in-kenya-not-a-prerequisite-to-get-into-rugby-cranes-team-coach-john-duncan/

He also added that the efforts from both the coaches and players saw them at least finish third and stay in the top tier. However, albeit the challenges the team encountered, John Duncan attempted to assess his charges as he narrated to our reporter.

Martial Tchumkam (far right) and Paul ssekatte sing then anthem

1. Martial Tchuckman – ”He is one of the strongest players in the team and also boosts his colleagues with wealth of experience. He is well built for his position and really fits at the front row”

2. Paul Ssekatte – ”He has made a formidable front row with the props. He has a lot of space for improvement and will be crucial next season.”

3. Asuman Mugerwa – ”Of course being a captain he is in charge when the boys are on the pitch. He just became captain this year and picked up points in the campaign. He is very strong and has experience in his position.’’

4. Charles Uhuru – ”Uhuru is one of the most ‘hungry’ players on the team. He fights with passion and also has experience in the game.”

5. Robert Aziku – ”He has adopted to his role and keeps on learning as the days go by. He also has good communication skills with his team mates.”

6. Byron Oketayot – ”He is a very flexible player and can perform tasks beyond his primary role. He is also young and will be very ‘nasty’ in the near future.”

7. Brian Asaba – ”He is one of the strongest players in the team. He is very quaick to react and is one of the busiest players on the pitch.”

8. Eliphaz Emong – ”He is one of the youngest players in the team but already playing a big man’s role. He has potential, very strong, likes contact and has quickly adopted to his role.”

Don’t miss Floodlights Sevens on 1st September

9. Aaron Ofoirwoth – ”He is very quick and that is vital for his role. He is also good at kicking and often creates width in play. He also has quick rotation abilities and supplies the ball to his team mates.”

10. Ivan Magomu – ”Magomu is one of the best players in the team and he has pace, pass accuracy, good kicking skills and can score tries too.”

11. James Odong – ”He is one of the most underrated players but he is the most technical player in the team. He is a very quiet player and minds his business. Many fans claim Kimono is their favorite winger because of his pace but Odong is one of the best in the game.”

12. Pius Ogena – ”He is a competitive guy and has mastered his partnership with Michael Wokorach. He is good at breaking opponent’s lines to set up his colleagues to aim for the try line. He also scores tries and will be even better next season.”

13. Michael Wokorach – ”He is one of the most senior players in the team and has very good defensive abilities. He is also a good try scorer.”

14. Justin Kimono – ”Kimono and Magomu are the high paced players in the team. Kimono helps set up his colleagues with his quick feet. He can also run along the touchline without slipping off.”

15. Philip Wokorach – ”He is one of the best if not the best player in the team. He is good in kicking, running, touching down and the fans plus players look up to him more often.”

The Reserves – ”Solomon Okia in particular has been one of the best substitutes and so was Collin Kimbowa and the like. They always tried to spice up the game albeit having little time to turn things around.”

General Comment – ”We have one of the youngest team in the top tier and there much room for improvement. I am happy because most of these players will be around in four years to come and they will be on another level.”

The post Rugby Cranes Coach John Duncan Justifies His Team’s Performance During The Gold Cup appeared first on Rugby Nation UG.

from WordPress http://rugbynationuganda.co.ug/rugby-cranes-coach-john-duncan-justifies-his-teams-performance-during-the-gold-cup/

#National Team #Gold Cup #Rugby cranes #Rugby World Cup

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justlikewildfireblog-blog · 7 years

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Top Five Kenyan YouTubers

Admit it! You’ve been there; it’s late into the night and you can’t sleep because you keep scrolling video after video from a YouTuber’s channel. For many of us, YouTube has become a source of entertainment. On this blog post, we highlight 5 creative Kenyan YouTubers that you should definitely check out and keep an eye on.

1. Kangai Mwiti

Top on our list is the makeup guru herself, Kangai Mwiti, also known by her channel name “Bellesa Africa”. With more than 100,000 subscribers and over 7 Million views on her channel, she is arguably Kenya’s top YouTuber. Her channel’s content generally revolves around makeup tutorials and beauty tips for women of colour. Her channel’s impact is said to be felt across 100-plus countries around the world.

2. Caroline Mutoko

Since late 2014 when former radio personality Caroline Mutoko started her channel, her videos have garnered over 3 Million views and 34,000 subscribers. She keeps her audience ‘woke’ by posting videos on topics such as politics, current affairs & other social issues. We loved her on radio and we love her on YouTube too!

3. Our 2 Cents

What is YouTube without Sharon & Susan! Our 2 Cents is hosted by Capital Lifestyle Magazine’s contributor Sharon Mundia and Editor Susan Wong. The pair keep putting out fresh new content – with everything from videos of Sharon hijacking Susan’s Tinder, to travel vlogs from their escapades in the Maldives. Our 2 Cents won the “YouTuber of the Year” award at 2016’s Kenyabuzz Awards and with the engagement their videos get; it is not hard to figure out why.

4. The Green Calabash

The Green Calabash is a parenting & lifestyle channel by Shiko Nguru & Rama Olouch where the two parents post about their family experiences. Their kids, 6 year old Ella & 33 month old Lamu are also regularly featured in their vlogs. The channel has been gaining a lot of traction lately especially among parents. If you love family (and babies) this is the channel for you.

5. Elodie Zone

Elodie’s consistent online presence has morphed her into one of Kenya’s best up and coming YouTubers. Being a student at USIU, She makes videos that explore issues facing Kenyan youth as well as her own personal experiences. She recently announced that she was going on a high school tour across Kenya to share her story from making a living off social media. At the rate which her channel is growing, we see her becoming a household name across the country pretty soon!

Do you think your favorite YouTuber missed out on this list? Leave a comment and tell us who.

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rugbynationug · 6 years

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Playing In Kenya Not A Prerequisite To Get Into Rugby Cranes Team – Coach John Duncan

The Uganda Rugby Cranes Head Coach John Duncan is hesitant that playing in the Kenya Rugby League does not earn a Ugandan player an automatic entry into the Rugby Cranes team. Of late, rugby fans have been claiming that the Kenyan-based players have an upper hand in the national team and anyone who crosses to the ‘Hakuna Matata’ land to play rugby is bound to be instantly called upon to the national team. However, Rugby Cranes tactician John Duncan has slammed those allegations claiming that any player who gets a call-up for national duty has earned it. ”Playing in the Kenyan league has never been a prerequisite to get a spot in the national team either at the starting XV or at the reserve. Most of the players who are based in Kenyan truly deserve their positions,” John Duncan noted.

The Rugby Cranes team that played the 2018 Rugby Africa Gold Cup had five Kenyan-based perennial starters namely Asuman Mugerwa (Captain) – Kabras Sugar RFC, Eliphaz Emong – Kabras Sugar RFC, Aaron Ofoirwoth – Harlequins, Pius Ogena – Kabras Sugar RFC, James Odongo – Nondescripts RFC and Philip Wokorach – Kabras Sugar RFC.

Don’t miss Floodlights Sevens on 1st September

Harlequins winger Solomon Okia was also in the Rugby Cranes reserve but started during the Gold Cup season finale against Morocco. However, Coach John Duncan supported his statement on the allegations basing on the fact that there are Ugandan players currently playing in Kenya but have not yet played for the national team. Joseph Aredo and David Semwami is the duo that are yet to feature for the national side since moving to the Kenya Cup but are bound to do so.

Joseph Aredo during the Christie Sevens last year

The Kenyan based players are pivotal in the team with Asuman Mugerwa’s leadership skills very crucial for players discipline on the pitch. Kabras Sugar star Philip Wokorach is probably Uganda’s Most Valuable Player and he was also Uganda’s top scorer during the Gold Cup with 73 points that he earned through five tries, eight penalties and fifteen conversions. The others like Pius Ogena and Aaron Ofoirwoth have been very important to the team. After Scout Olouch stepped out of the national team, Kenyan-based Eliphaz Emong was brought in to fill his boots.

Elphaz Emong before the Kenya Cup final

Elphaz Emong who was once with Ugandan outfit Rams RFC was never named in the Rugby Cranes team before crossing to Kenya. However, after spending nearly a year that side, he was called to the team and has earned a permanent spot in the starting fifteen playing at Number eight. ”Emong is there because has power, huge body, loves contacts, very strong and is the most potential candidate for the number eight role,” Coach Duncan added. Duncan concluded noting that team selection is done through various criteria but never on where the player is based. However, John Duncan declined comparing the level of Uganda and Kenya top tier rugby leagues.

The post Playing In Kenya Not A Prerequisite To Get Into Rugby Cranes Team – Coach John Duncan appeared first on Rugby Nation UG.

from WordPress http://rugbynationuganda.co.ug/playing-in-kenya-not-a-prerequisite-to-get-into-rugby-cranes-team-coach-john-duncan/

#National Team #Kenya #Rugby cranes

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