Uganda Rugby Cranes have returned to the top 50 World Rugby Rankings after a 40-11 wins over highly ranked Ivory Coast in the opening round of the Africa Cup Division 1B at the Kyadondo Rugby Club in Kampala
There were victories for Uganda, Senegal and Madagascar as Africa Cup Division 1B got underway, while Zimbabwe kept alive hopes of being crowned Africa Cup champions by defeating Tunisia.
Five different players got their names on the score sheet for the Cranes who had the game effectively sewn up by half-time. James Odong, man of the match Ronald Musajjagulanyago, Lawrence Sebuliba and Scott Oloch scored first-half tries and Kevin Makmot kicked two penalties and three conversions for a 32-6 lead at the break.
A more evenly-contested second half brought a try apiece for either side with Cranes vice-captain Michael Wokorach cancelling out Traora Salfi’s effort.
Uganda’s victory warranted an increase of 1.32 rankings points and lifts them four places above Ivory Coast in the rankings to 50th. The Philippines, Guyana and Croatia are the other nations to lose ground.
Colombia and Sweden also benefit from Ivory Coast’s three-place fall, moving up one place to 48th and 49th respectively.
Today’s fixture
Rugby Cranes will play Mauritius at 12:30, Senegal and Botswana at 2:30 and ivory Coast will battle Madagascar at 4:30.
