19 July 2021 | Rugby

Uganda Rugby Cranes advanced to the quarterfinals of the Rugby Africa Cup as Pool C leaders despite a shock defeat to Algeria on Sunday.

The Lion Cubs of Algeria came into the game needing a victory to secure a quarterfinal berth and played with a lot of urgency and energy that the Ugandans couldn't match for 80 minutes.

Loree Mathieu put Algeria on the scoreboard within five minutes with a penalty and converted Djamel's try for an early 10-00 lead.

However, former Rugby Cranes captain Brian Odong powered over and moments later current skipper Ivan Magomu added a penalty to cut Uganda's deficit to 2 points (10-08).

Magomu and full-back Adrian Kasito combined for the best try of the game with the flyhalf delivering a perfect short ball to Kasito who attacked a gap to dot down for a 13-08 lead.

Uganda's lead was however short-lived as the Lion Cubs powered over after and line-out and maul with Nadir grounding for a 15-13 halftime lead.

After the break, Algeria bullied their way to try line with Reda grounding and Mathieu converting for a 22-13 lead.

Jinja Hippos winger Maxwell Ebonga split the posts with a penalty but Uganda could not break down Algeria.

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