Oketayot to captain Rugby Cranes against Kenya in Africa Cup quarterfinal
Uganda faces archrivals Kenya on Tuesday at Namboole Stadium in a match that also doubles as a qualifier for the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.
Rugby Players Byron Oketayot (L) and Joseph Aredo (R) with Shakim Ssembuusi. PHOTO: Johnson Were
By Johnson Were
Journalists @New Vision
July 8-19 at Namboole
Rugby Africa Cup 2025
Tuesday Fixtures
Kenya v Uganda 4pm
Namibia v Senegal,2pm
Algeria v Cote D'ivoire ,12 noon
Zimbabwe v Morocco,10am
Ahead of a crucial Rugby Africa Cup quarterfinal, Byron Oketayot has been named captain of the Rugby Cranes, with Frank Kidega and Conrad Wanyama appointed as vice-captains.
Uganda faces archrivals Kenya on Tuesday at Namboole Stadium in a match that also doubles as a qualifier for the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.
Oketayot, an open-side flanker with KCB KOBS, was handed the armband by head coach Fred Mudoola and his technical team. The trio was selected for their leadership skills, experience, and unwavering support to their teammates—qualities deemed essential for such a high-stakes fixture.
Oketayot brings four years of national team experience and a deep understanding of Kenya’s style of play. He was part of the squad that edged Kenya 16-13 in the first leg of the Elgon Cup in Kisumu. Both Wanyama and Kidega, of the Stanbic Black Pirates, also featured in Uganda’s thrilling 21-20 win over Kenya at Kings Park Arena in 2023.
Coach Mudoola expressed confidence in the team’s readiness, saying they’ve had solid preparations and assembled a well-balanced 28-man squad combining experience and fresh talent.
Backs coach Leo Lubambula echoed that confidence:
“The team is in good shape. We have more elite players from the 7s setup than last year, and our preparation has been excellent,” he said. “We expect a tough game. It’s not just a quarterfinal, but a derby. Kenya is part of our path to the World Cup, and we’re ready to face them.”
Before the Uganda game at 4pm, Namibia will take on Senegal at 2pm, Algeria play Ivory Coast at 12noon while Zimbabwe and Morocco will face off in the opening quarterfinal at 10am.
The winner of the tournament will qualify to the world world Cup while the runners up will face the runner up from Asia in the final play-off at Namboole with the winner also joining the world cup.
They include; Santos Senteza, Nathan Bwambale, Fahad Maido, Julius Opio, Sydney Gongodyo, Frank Kidega, Byron Oketayot, Pius Ogena, Aaron Ofoyrwoth, Liam Walker, Isaac Masanganzira, Philip Wokorach, Timothy Kisiga, Claude Otema and Adrian Kasito.
The others are Blair Ayebazibwe, Edward Emiemu, Saul Kivumbi, Colins Kimbowa, Eliphazi Emong, Brian Wandera, Alex Aturinda, Desire Ayera, Conrad Wanyama, William Nkore, Joseph Aredo, Ian Munyani. Shakimu Ssembusi, Emanuel Kiyaga and Thomas Gwokkto.
The event is sponsored by Nile Special, Shell and Stanbic Bank.