Uganda Lady Cranes boss outlines strategy to succeed at Rugby Africa Women’s Cup to seal World Cup place

Photo || Uganda Rugby Union.

Uganda Lady Cranes boss outlines strategy to succeed at Rugby Africa Women’s Cup to seal World Cup place

Mark Kinyanjui 18:53 - 23.04.2025

Uganda Ladies Cranes qualified for the Rugby Africa Women's Cup, which seves as a qualifier for the 2025 Women's World Cup.

Fresh off their dominant display at the 2023 Rugby Africa Women’s Division 1 Championship, Uganda’s Lady Cranes XVs have turned their attention to the next big test—the Rugby Africa Women’s Cup set for May.

The continental showpiece will not only determine the best women’s rugby team in Africa but also double as a qualifying pathway to the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup. For Uganda, the stakes couldn’t be higher.

In Sao Paulo, Ivory Coast, the Lady Cranes produced a stellar run that saw them defeat Tanzania 27-11, blank out the hosts 32-0, and seal the Division 1 title with a commanding 65-7 victory over their group’s final opponent.

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The flawless campaign earned them promotion to the Africa Cup, marking a significant milestone in the team’s long-term rebuilding strategy.

“It was a good tournament for us,” said head coach Charles Onen as quoted on The Daily Monitor. “Each day was a learning opportunity, and I was pleased with the way the team progressed from game one to the last. We needed it, and the pressure was real because Tanzania and Zimbabwe were also competing strongly.”

With only a month to prepare for the Africa Cup, Onen is aware of the magnitude of the challenge ahead. Unlike Division 1, the Africa Cup brings together the continent’s elite—including reigning heavyweights South Africa, Madagascar, and Kenya—who will present a vastly different level of opposition.

“The next stage is tougher,” Onen admitted. “It requires a lot more in terms of player conditioning and upskilling. But I see progress every day, and that gives us hope.”

That hope is backed by momentum. Uganda’s dominant Division 1 run saw them jump five places in the World Rugby rankings, moving from 39th to 34th. 

In contrast, Tanzania dropped from 32nd to 36th following their underwhelming campaign, while Zimbabwe and Ivory Coast remain ranked 20th and 54th respectively.

As preparations ramp up, the Lady Cranes are expected to stick with the core squad that delivered the title in Sao Paulo. 

The leadership of captain Angela Nanyondo and the explosive pace of winger Peace Lekuru will be crucial as Uganda looks to settle the score with Kenya, who defeated them in their last meeting.

The Uganda Rugby Union is now waiting for Rugby Africa to confirm the dates and venue of the competition before releasing a revised training schedule.

For the Lady Cranes, the Africa Cup is more than just another tournament—it’s the gateway to a World Cup return and the ultimate validation of a team on the rise.

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