If you’ve watched the two most recent matches Uganda’s senior men’s rugby XVs national team has played, you’ve probably noticed a change in its leadership structure.
The player who has been leading the team known as the Rugby Cranes out of the tunnel before kickoff and communicating with the referee is now Frank Kidega.
But does that mean Frank Kidega is the new Uganda Rugby Cranes captain?
The short answer is no. Because the captain is still Byron Oketayot and his vice-captain is Conrad Wanyama.
However, here is the long answer.
Captain Oketayot suffered a head injury early during the first match against Namibia a fortnight ago in Wavis Bay and had to be replaced for the remainder of the match. Captain’s responsibilities were then shared between Wanyama and Kidega until when the latter assumed full control following the former’s substitution.
Return-to-play protocols for players who have suffered head injuries recommend a period of at least twelve days before the player is back on pitch. This meant that Oketayot had to sit out the second match against Limpopo Blue Bulls in Modimolle the following weekend. Additionally, Wanyama was not on the matchday squad.
So, Kidega was entrusted with leading the team out the tunnel and through the match as captain.
NBS Sport sought clarity on the national team’s captaincy from the team manager Andrew Ikopit. He clarified that Kidega is the “on pitch captain as the captain is recovering.”
Ikopit further revealed that there is a leadership group – standard procedure in national team steps around the world – from which the captain is chosen.
Uganda’s is headed by captain Oketayot and his vice captain Wanyama. It also comprises members Timothy Kisiga, Sydney Gongodyo, William Nkore, Isaac Massanganzira (pause) and Kidega.
NBS Sport’s analysis of this leadership group believes Kidega was chosen to captain the team because he is a forward whose position necessitates his being close to the action and the referee, which eases communication. It also helped that he is already captain at his local club Black Pirates from which all the other leadership group members (except Oketayot) come.
The Rugby Cranes will play their third and final preparatory match for the upcoming men’s Rugby Africa Cup against the Pumas on Friday afternoon. One of the things to look out for is who the captain on the pitch will be.
