The Uganda Lady Cranes have officially commenced their final preparations for the upcoming Women’s 7s Tournament, with Head Coach Charles Onen Cyphus expressing confidence as the team intensifies its training camp.

Following their exertions at the Safari 7s, the squad has regrouped with a clear and urgent mission: to secure the single coveted slot for Rugby Africa Women’s 7s tournament.

Coach Onen reported that the team has resumed training with great energy after a well-deserved rest following a grueling 16-hour journey back from the Safari 7s. “The preparations are great. We resumed yesterday and today, the girls are picking up shape,” Onen stated. “They had some bit of rest from the whole journey, and now the girls are picking up their momentum and getting back to shape. They are gearing up for the Africa Cup, which is a very critical tournament for us.”

With a short turnaround before the crucial tournament, the technical team has zeroed in on an 18-player squad.

The players currently in camp include:

Agnes Nakuya, Comfort Angayika, Esther Tino, Fazira Namukwaya, Janat Nandudu, Juliet Nandawula, Lona Sandra Amoli, Lydia Namabiro, Namboozo Mastula, Maimuna Nassozi, Mufuwa Racheal, Nabaggala Grace, Peace Lekuru, Samiya Ayikoru, Susan Adong, Tina Akello, Unity Namulala, and Yvonne Najjuma

“These are players that have been around the camp for quite some time,” Onen explained. “With the short time that we have, we zeroed down to the final 18 because there isn’t much time to prepare for this tournament.”

A significant boost for the Lady Cranes is the return of influential players Peace Lekuru, and Samiya Ayikoru. Coach Onen was unequivocal about the value they bring to the squad with emphasis on Peace Lekuru.

“We welcome Peace Lekuru back onto the squad. She has always put out her best every time she represents the country,” he said. “She’s that one fighter that always gives her best and also provides leadership on the pitch as well. Her being back is exciting for the team and should be exciting for the nation as well, so that she comes back and picks up her momentum from where she stopped.”

The current training sessions are meticulously designed to address specific areas identified for improvement, particularly from the Safari 7s performance.

“At the moment, the training sessions are focused on looking through our areas that we didn’t perform well, especially at the Safari 7s,” Onen revealed. “We are trying to fix our defence, which was a very key thing we needed to do. We had a couple of moments where our players were not really executing our proper defence system and structures, and it’s one of the key things we are working on so that by the time we get there, we’re ready.”

In addition to shoring up the defensive line, the team is also honing its attacking prowess. “We are working on our attacks for set pieces and breakdowns as well. Those are the key areas we are working on to try and prepare the team better.”

The Lady Cranes know the challenge that lies ahead, with rivals South Africa, Kenya, Tunisia, Zimbabwe, Madagascar, and other nations all vying for the same single championship. The work done in this camp will be pivotal to their chances of success on the continental stage.

Lady Cranes 7s are in Pool C with Zambia, and Burkina Faso.

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