{"id":3966,"date":"2025-06-26T15:00:55","date_gmt":"2025-06-26T12:00:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.betsure.com\/ug\/news\/?p=3966"},"modified":"2026-04-10T16:57:24","modified_gmt":"2026-04-10T13:57:24","slug":"uppc-football-clubs-historic-promotion-president-okurut-lauds-stakeholders","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bangbet.com\/ug\/temps\/uppc-football-clubs-historic-promotion-president-okurut-lauds-stakeholders\/","title":{"rendered":"Lady Rugby Cranes Hold Off Madagascar for Historic First Win"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In a thrilling display of grit and determination, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bangbet.com\/sports\/Baseball\">Uganda\u2019s <strong>Lady<\/strong><\/a><strong> Rugby Cranes<\/strong> claimed their first-ever victory at the 2025 Rugby Africa Women\u2019s Cup, edging out hosts <strong>Madagascar\u2019s Makis<\/strong> in a dramatic <strong>24\u201320 win<\/strong> in Antananarivo. This memorable comeback has sparked optimism and pride among fans and players alike, signaling a new era for Ugandan women\u2019s rugby.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com\/docsz\/AD_4nXeZqsyn7AiCUbZkdgCdPXO7qfnzs0T54aL1apj2d-P_p0WnKnNYsAdLjfiLV_1zxzr2QQu62OWfqP0mKRQ4vuYXY5wn4PsoG91g8jw96NfErRN3FAZ5Yxn0CipbXFA1IkTdX6ZtvQ?key=WRTFHngZw7ZwEGsjsAWLBQ\" alt=\"\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>\ud83d\udd04 From Early Setbacks to Rising Spirits<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Madagascar started strong, using their home support and fast tempo to claim an early lead. However, the Lady Cranes responded with sharp execution and tenacity. Flyhalf <strong>Bushira Namutebi<\/strong> scored Uganda\u2019s first try after slicing through the defense, while team captain <strong>Angella Nanyonjo<\/strong> powered through moments later for the second. Both tries were calmly converted by <strong>Janat Nandudu<\/strong>, giving Uganda a narrow 12\u201310 halftime lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The team\u2019s solid forward work, aggressive breakdown play, and composed defense\u2014led by rising star <strong>Phiona Nantongo<\/strong>\u2014allowed Uganda to stay in control during key moments. Their performance reflected disciplined coaching and tactical growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com\/docsz\/AD_4nXetKiJdApJPqtDXWbJsqKYv69273H-uu4ARP81JFN-IiAERy3RGeadANaCMKiXuE52uH4vwdVMdP_X9wTzm_po1HfvSA0xBNmQTmZ4Ew1dA-uXkIJMkRqHEhBtU5qT8q2V1-bqz6A?key=WRTFHngZw7ZwEGsjsAWLBQ\" alt=\"\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>\ud83d\udca5 Second-Half Drama and Determined Defence<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Madagascar wasn\u2019t done. Early in the second half, they took advantage of two penalties and a well-worked try to go up 20\u201312. But Uganda refused to back down. <strong>Samiya Ayikoru<\/strong> found space on the wing to touch down a crucial try, narrowing the gap. With momentum building, <strong>Grace Nabaggala<\/strong> delivered the decisive blow in the 66th minute, crossing the line to give Uganda a 24\u201320 lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Lady Cranes&#8217; defense was tested in the final moments, but they held strong. A late yellow card to Madagascar gave Uganda just enough breathing room to maintain possession and protect their lead until the final whistle. The celebrations that followed were heartfelt and hard-earned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>\ud83c\udf1f Standout Performers &amp; Key Takeaways<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Forwards\u2019 resilience<\/strong>: Substitute <strong>Cabrine Kirabo<\/strong> made an immediate impact, revitalizing Uganda\u2019s scrums and lineouts.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Composure under pressure<\/strong>: Despite a few knock-ons and errors near their own try line, the team\u2019s mental toughness and unity prevailed.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Leadership on the rise<\/strong>: Debut starter <strong>Juliet Nandawula<\/strong> and experienced substitute <strong>Tina Akello<\/strong> both delivered under pressure, helping guide the team through the high-stakes final minutes.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This victory was especially sweet after the team\u2019s tough 62\u20137 opening defeat to South Africa. It marked a powerful comeback and secured Uganda a place above the bottom of the standings, regardless of the outcome in their final group match.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>\ud83d\udd2e Looking Ahead: A Derby Showdown with Kenya<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Uganda\u2019s final group match will be an East African derby against the <strong>Kenya Lionesses<\/strong>, a fixture always filled with intensity and national pride. Kenya, having narrowly lost to South Africa and defeated Madagascar, will pose a tough challenge, but the Lady Cranes now carry momentum and belief.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The match offers more than just bragging rights\u2014it\u2019s a chance for Uganda to end their campaign on a high, show consistency, and signal their intent as rising contenders in African women\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bangbet.com\/sports\/Rugby\">rugby<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com\/docsz\/AD_4nXeZ34MJmDYa6JIRvWHNZAJ53JDpX9DYKasfD-CqPVV1DyIRYpF1QQIj-dlrYK848pbO81QkDwLWqQM-W0x6UqiLPsgYKorl80CFv6yuE6h5UR2NBr29sxlIBF2czzNM8yvCQa_9?key=WRTFHngZw7ZwEGsjsAWLBQ\" alt=\"\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>\u270d\ufe0f Final Thoughts<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Lady <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bangbet.com\/sports\/Ice%20Hockey\">Rugby Cranes\u2019 <\/a>triumph over Madagascar was more than a win\u2014it was a statement. A statement of progress, unity, and belief in the potential of Ugandan women\u2019s rugby. From fierce defending to clinical finishing, every player contributed to a result that will be remembered as a turning point in their journey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As the team prepares to face Kenya, they do so with heads high, hearts full, and a nation behind them.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In a thrilling display of grit and determination, Uganda\u2019s Lady Rugby Cranes claimed their first-ever victory at the 2025 Rugby Africa Women\u2019s Cup, edging out hosts Madagascar\u2019s Makis in a dramatic 24\u201320 win in Antananarivo. This memorable comeback has sparked optimism and pride among fans and players alike, signaling a new era for Ugandan women\u2019s [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":3381,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[35],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3966","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-football-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bangbet.com\/ug\/temps\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3966","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bangbet.com\/ug\/temps\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bangbet.com\/ug\/temps\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bangbet.com\/ug\/temps\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bangbet.com\/ug\/temps\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3966"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.bangbet.com\/ug\/temps\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3966\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6024,"href":"https:\/\/www.bangbet.com\/ug\/temps\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3966\/revisions\/6024"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bangbet.com\/ug\/temps\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3381"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bangbet.com\/ug\/temps\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3966"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bangbet.com\/ug\/temps\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3966"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bangbet.com\/ug\/temps\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3966"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}