Title defence falters as Uganda place fifth at Africa Sevens

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Uganda concluded their Rugby Africa Men’s Sevens title defence with a disappointing fifth-place finish after defeating Zambia 24-5 in Mauritius on Sunday.

It was undoubtedly a weekend to forget for Uganda, whose campaign began with the tournament’s biggest upset—a 17-7 defeat to Ghana on Saturday morning. The unexpected loss made what should have been a routine start to their title defence considerably more difficult.

Uganda bounced back with a dominant 43-0 win over Ivory Coast in their second match, but the earlier damage had already been done.

In their third pool fixture, Uganda faced familiar rivals Kenya Morans, who edged them 12-5 in another tightly contested encounter.

The Cranes were drawn against South Africa in the quarter-finals, and the Blitzboks’ second-string side proved ruthless, handing Uganda a 26-0 defeat.

Uganda managed to avenge their earlier loss to Ghana in the fifth-to-eighth placement match, dispatching the West Africans with a comprehensive 47-7 victory. This set up a final clash for fifth place against Zambia.

The Rugby Cranes ended on a high, beating Zambia 24-5, but the team will know they fell short on the opening day and missed the chance to defend their title properly.

Africa Men’s Sevens

Pool A

Uganda 7 Ghana 17

Uganda 43 Ivory Coast 0

Uganda 5 Kenya 12

Quarter-Final

Uganda 0 South Africa 26

Fifth Place Play-Off

Uganda 24 Zambia 5

Fifth to Eighth Placement Match

Uganda 47 Ghana 7