Uganda Rugby Cranes and Morocco Atlas Lions were knocked out of contention for the 2025 men’s Rugby Africa Cup title on the quarterfinal stage by Kenya and Zimbabwe respectively.
However, it is not yet time for them to pack their bags as they have to fight for their survival through the placement matches.
The knockout bracket has pitted the Rugby Cranes and the Atlas Lions against each other in the placement semifinal.
The Rugby Cranes have made three changes to their starting lineup, bringing Conrad Wanyama and William Nkore as a fresh halfback pair, plus Timothy Kisiga on the blindside wing.
This has pushed Joseph Aredo to the midfield where he replaces the injured Isaac Massanganzira.
On the bench, it is a 6-2 split with Collins Kimbowa, Brian Wandera and Shakim Ssembusi expected to get a crack at it later in the match.
Uganda Rugby Cranes squad vs Morocco in the 2025 Men’s Rugby Africa Cup Placement Semifinal:
Starting: 1 Santos Senteza, 2 Nathan Bwambale, 3 Fahad Maido, 4 Julius Opio, 5 Sydney Gongodyo, 6 Frank Kidega (vice-captain), 7 Byron Oketayot (captain), 8 Pius Ogena, 9 Conrad Wanyama (vice-captain), 10 William Nkore, 11 Timothy Kisiga, 12 Joseph Aredo, 13 Ian Munyani, 14 Adrian Kasito, 15 Philip Wokorach.
Substitutes: 16 Edward Emiemu, 17 Saul Kivumbi, 18 Collins Kimbowa, 19 Eliphaz Emong, 20 Alex Aturinda, 21 Aaron Ofoyrwoth, 22 Shakim Ssembusi, 23 Ivan Otema.
Morocco Atlas Lions squad vs Uganda in the 2025 Men’s Rugby Africa Cup Placement Semifinal:
Starting: 1 Nassim Aanikid, 2 Karim Khaouti, 3 Nassim El Youmouri, 4 Nassim Terki, 5 Yassine Maamry, 6 Bilal Fadli, 7 Nail Ait Naceur, 8 Amin Boukanoucha, 9 Theo Bachiri, 10 Adil Achahbar (captain), 11 Mohamed Karim Qadiri, 12 Naoufal El Kadri, 13 Bilal Elkhaoulani, 14 Youness Hou, 15 Ilian El Yahyaoui.
Substitutes: 16 Hassan Haimiche, 17 Elias El Ansari, 18 Zakaria El Fakir, 19 Samir Jnaoui, 20 Nabir Boumrane, 21 Jad Ouazzani, 22 Soheyl Jaoudat, 23 Louis Peutin.
This tie will kick off at 12 p.m. EAT. The other placement semifinal between Côte d’Ivoire and Senegal will kick off at 10 a.m.
Starting from 9 a.m. with a build-up show, the action will be broadcast live on NBS Sport via free-to-air channel 34, on DSTv 377 and on StarTimes 255. Programming will close with a pitchside screening of ‘The Scrum RAC Hour’ after all the matches have been concluded.
