Lady Rugby Cranes 7s stun Belgium to reach Challenger semis
World Rugby Sevens HSBC Challenger 2024 | Day 3
9th place playoff: Uganda v Portugal (11:21 am)
Women's semifinal
Uganda vs China (11:53 am)
Kenya vs Argentina (12:15 pm)
Men's semifinal
Kenya vs Uruguay (12:37 pm)
Germany vs Chile (12:59 pm)
Uganda women's sevens rugby national team, the Lady Rugby Cranes 7s, has beaten all odds to qualify for the semifinal of the World Rugby HSBC Challenger in Dubai after beating Belgium 17-12.
The Dubai event is the first of three to be played before the team heads to Madrid for the final tournament.
Uganda came into this game determined to avenge a 7-5 loss to them in the group stage.
Tries that created Uganda's historic moment came from Peace Lekuru and a brace from Grace Nabagala before Maimuna Nassozi converted the four extra points.
"The Ladies came determined for a win after slightly losing to them in the group stage, our focus is now on the semifinals," Lady Rugby Cranes head coach Charles Onen stated.
Earlier on, Uganda had beaten Papua New Guinea 24-17 to qualify for the quarterfinal as the second-best loser from Group A.
The Lady Rugby Cranes 7s, playing the tournament for the first time, will now play hard tacklers and race runners, China, for a place in the final.
Meanwhile, the Rugby Cranes Sevens failed to qualify for the Main Cup quarterfinal as the best losers despite beating Mexico 40-14 in the last game of Group C.
Uganda is now targeting to finish 9th after qualifying for the place final.
Here, Uganda thumped Mexico 50-0 in the semifinal.
Uganda faces Portugal for the 9th place finish.
