Uganda shifts focus to Africa Sevens after Olympic loss.
New two-weekend format for 2024 Mauritius Sevens tournament.
Uganda in Pool B with Burkina Faso, Tunisia, Cote d’Ivoire.
Key matches: Uganda vs Cote d’Ivoire, Tunisia, Burkina Faso.
Shifting Focus After Olympic Disappointment
Following their quarter-final elimination in the Olympics repechage in Monaco, the Uganda men’s rugby sevens team is now turning their attention to the upcoming Africa Sevens in Mauritius. This prestigious continental tournament offers the team a fresh opportunity to showcase their skills and regain their competitive edge.
New Format for 2024 Mauritius Sevens
The 2024 Mauritius Sevens will feature an exciting new format, with matches spread across two weekends. The first round will take place from June 29 to 30, followed by the second round from July 6 to 7. All games will be held at the Labourdonnais Stadium in Port-Louis, providing a dynamic and extended competition period. This format aims to enhance the tournament’s excitement and allow teams to adapt and improve between rounds.
Redemption After a Challenging Season
Uganda’s men’s team has had a challenging 2023-2024 campaign, falling short of expectations. They finished third in last year’s Africa Sevens in Zimbabwe, and now they are looking to improve on that performance. With the new tournament structure, Uganda has the chance to recalibrate and aim for the top spot in the continent.
Competitive Pool Draw
For the first round, Uganda has been placed in Pool B alongside Burkina Faso, Tunisia, and Cote d’Ivoire. The competition will be fierce, as the top two teams, excluding Kenya Shujaa, will earn spots in the 2025 HSBC SVNS Challenger Series. Kenya, having secured promotion to the HSBC SVNS core roster for 2025 through the 2024 Challenger Series, will be a formidable opponent.
Pool Assignments for Round One
- Pool A: Kenya, Nigeria, Madagascar, Mauritius.
- Pool B: Uganda, Burkina Faso, Tunisia, Cote d’Ivoire.
- Pool C: Zimbabwe, Zambia, Ghana, Algeria.
Uganda’s Day One Fixtures
Uganda’s schedule for the first day of the tournament includes crucial matches:
- Uganda vs Cote d’Ivoire – 11:06 am EAT
- Uganda vs Tunisia – 1:50 pm EAT
- Uganda vs Burkina Faso – 4:34 pm EAT
Strategic Importance of Day One
The performance on the first day will be critical for Uganda. Strong showings against Cote d’Ivoire, Tunisia, and Burkina Faso are essential to secure a favorable ranking for the second round. The results will determine their pool scheduling and impact their overall chances of success in the tournament.
Expectations
Uganda’s coach and players are aware of the stakes and the opportunity that the Africa Sevens presents. The team’s preparation has been intense, focusing on improving their offensive and defensive strategies. The aim is not only to advance through the rounds but to demonstrate a significant improvement from their previous performances.
