Ghana’s dreams of a fairytale African Games debut for their national women’s rugby sevens team had a roller-coaster start on Wednesday in Accra as Uganda delivered a massive double blow by overwhelming the host in both the men’s and women’s competitions.
The Ugandan women set the tone early, hammering Ghana’s women team 50-7 in a one-sided demolition. Coming off an equally convincing 37-7 dismantling of Tunisia earlier in the day, the Ugandan ladies showed their ruthless attacking prowess by running in seven tries against the overmatched hosts.
Ghana kicked off their campaign with a narrow 12-5 victory over Nigeria, only to suffer a 50-7 thumping later in the day at the hands of powerhouse Uganda, marking a bittersweet debut for a promising women team that was brought back down to earth by a stronger force.
The home fans at the University of Ghana rugby stadium were sent into raptures early on as their side battled past a physical Nigerian team in the tournament opener for women.
However, that celebratory mood was short-lived as a ruthless Ugandan outfit overwhelmed the Ghanaians with a seven-try onslaught in the second match.
If that result did not dampen the home fans’ spirits enough, Uganda’s men ensured the misery was compounded just hours later.
The powerful East Africans outmuscled and outclassed Ghana male team 22-7 in a clinical performance to maintain their unbeaten status in the competition.
Madagascar’s female team, however kicked off their campaign strongly with a 20-5 win over Nigeria.
The rugby sevens tournament continued to serve up entertaining action and drama on Day 2 as the men’s and women’s competitions heated up.
The men’s competition saw some high-scoring affairs as the shorter sevens format continued to produce try-scoring fireworks.
Ghana’s men got their first win by dispatching Tunisia 42-5, while Burkina Faso backed up their shock opening day win over Kenya by hammering Benin 53-0.
Kenya rebounded from their upset loss by routing Benin 53-0, while Uganda remained unbeaten thanks to a 24-15 triumph against Burkina Faso. Zimbabwe also looked in good form with a 36-7 demolition of Tunisia.
As the tournament reached its halfway point, the relentless, free-flowing sevens style is clearly capturing new fans in Accra. With Olympic qualification for Paris 2024 also on the line, the incentive for teams could not be higher.
The relentless, high-scoring rugby sevens action showed no signs of letting up on Day 2 in Accra. Both the men’s and women’s tournaments are shaping up to be compelling races to the semifinals and Olympic qualification places.
If the first two days are any indication, more unpredictable twists and turns lie ahead at this historic African Games debut for rugby’s shortened format.
The competition heads into Day 3 on Thursday, with the race to make the knockout rounds intensifying.
Below is the Day 2 Rugby Sevens Results – African Games
Women’s Tournament:
- Ghana 12-5 Nigeria
- Tunisia 7-37 Uganda
- Uganda 50-7 Ghana
- Madagascar 20-5 Nigeria
Men’s Tournament:
- Ghana 42-5 Tunisia
- Kenya 55-0 Benin
- Uganda 24-15 Burkina Faso
- Uganda 22-7 Ghana
- Zimbabwe 36-7 Tunisia
- Burkina Faso 53-0 Benin
