Uganda Cranes pip Kenya Simbas to Victoria Cup glory

Uganda Cranes are the 2023 Victoria Cup champions after seeing off Kenya Simbas 21-20 in a closely contested final staged at the King's Park Arena in Bweyogerere, Uganda on Sunday evening.

The win marked Uganda's first-ever Victoria Cup triumph.

The last meeting between the two sides was in France during the quarterfinals of the 2023 Rugby World Cup qualifiers played in July last year where Simbas mauled Uganda 42-7.

The Simbas were the first to score through Joel Inzuga. Jones Kubu's conversion attempt bore no fruit for the Kenyan ambassadors.

The game was on and Simbas displayed swift passes from Barry Robinson and Brian Wahinya to deliver a pass to Inzuga who doubled his try tally. This time, Kubu's conversion pursuit was on point to give the visitors a 12-0 lead.

The match seemed to be sailing in Kenya’s favor, however, they conceded consecutive penalties that Ivan Magomu capitalized on, reducing the score line to 12-6 before Conrad Wanyama scored to pip Simbas 13-12 heading into the breather

Victoria Cup: Kenya Simbas train guns on Uganda Cranes with 2023 title on the line

Immediately after the restart, Simbas came back determined to kill the tie and rapidly roared back into the game with Kubu's penalty kick that regained the Kenyans lead.

After Kenya retook the lead, the game took a new twist and it was a test of physicality for both sides that ended up with Paul Mutsami picking up a yellow card, however, Uganda’s best player of the evening Magomu missed the subsequent spot kick.

The two East African rugby heavyweights would share five-pointers for the better part of the final half with scores at 20-18 but it was Liam Walker, who came off the bench to seal victory for Uganda with a last-minute penalty kick to round up the scores to 21-20 in favor of the Uganda Cranes.

Kenya Simbas Starting Team

15. Jone Kubu, 14. Joel Inzuga, 13. Bryceson Adaka, 12. Walter Okoth, 11. Alfred Orege, 10. Brian Wahinya, 9. Barry Young, 1. Ephraim Oduor, 2. Teddy Akala,3. Wilhite Mususi, 4. Hibrahim Ayoo, 5. Hillary Odhiambo, 6. George Nyambua (Captain), 7. Reinhard Mwalati, 8. Jeanson Misoga

REPLACEMENTS 16. Emmanuel Otieno, 17. Thomas Okidia, 18. Hillary Mwanjilwa, 19. Brian Ndirangu, 20. Peter Waitere, 21. Elkeans Musonye, 22. Dan Ang’wech, 23. Paul Mutsami