KAMPALA, Uganda
Uganda’s hopes of a higher finish in the 2025 Rugby Africa Cup were dashed on Sunday as they fell 24-12 to a physically dominant Morocco side in their placement semifinal at Namboole Stadium. The defeat means the Rugby Cranes will now contest the 7th Place Final against Ivory Coast.
Playing on home soil and eager to rebound from a narrow 31-24 loss to perennial rivals Kenya, the Rugby Cranes struggled to establish their rhythm against a well-drilled Moroccan outfit. The North Africans asserted their physicality from the outset, controlling the flow of the game and frustrating Uganda’s attacking ambitions.
The second half saw Morocco extend their lead with an early try, further dimming Ugandan spirits. However, the resilient Rugby Cranes finally found a breakthrough in the 63rd minute when star fullback Philip Wokorach crossed the whitewash, offering a glimmer of hope to the vocal home crowd.
Despite Wokorach’s efforts, Morocco responded with another try, seemingly putting the game beyond reach. Yet, Wokorach, ever the talisman, refused to give up, scoring his second try of the day in the 76th minute and adding the conversion to narrow the deficit. But it was a case of too little, too late, as the final whistle confirmed the 24-12 defeat.
The result pushes Uganda into the 7th Place Final, a disappointing outcome for a team that had harbored ambitions of a stronger showing in the tournament. They will now regroup and prepare to face Ivory Coast in a battle for pride and to avoid finishing at the bottom of their group.