Uganda Legends snapped a six-match losing streak against Kenya Legends in the Legends Cup with a dramatic 16-15 victory at Mombasa Sports Club, securing their first-ever win in the fixture and taking a narrow advantage into the second leg.
Having lost all six previous encounters, the Ugandans arrived in Mombasa determined to rewrite history and adapted quickly to the coastal conditions. Their patience was rewarded in the 23rd minute when they slotted a penalty to take a 3-0 lead through Ivan Kirabo.
Kenya Legends pull back
After a water break in the 25th minute, Kenya found their rhythm and struck back seven minutes later. Oliver Mang’eni created space on the left before linking up with Lavin Asego, who sent Darwin Mukidza over for the opening try. Mukidza was unable to convert, but Kenya edged ahead 5-3.
Uganda responded almost immediately through a moment of brilliance from Michael Wokorach. Scrum-half Ivan Kirabo initiated the move from a ruck situation, and Wokorach gathered possession before weaving his way past several defenders to score. Kirabo added the conversion to hand the visitors a 10-5 lead.
Kirabo extended Uganda’s advantage to 13-5 in the 58th minute with a well-taken penalty as Kenya searched for a way back into the contest.
The momentum shifted in the 70th minute when Uganda were reduced to 14 men. Kenya capitalised on the extra man advantage, with Tony Owuor crossing the whitewash. Mukidza converted to cut the deficit to a single point at 13-12.
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With just three minutes remaining, Mukidza looked to have completed the comeback when he calmly slotted a penalty to give Kenya a 15-13 lead.
But Uganda refused to fold. Just a minute later, Kirabo answered with a decisive penalty of his own to restore Uganda’s advantage at 16-15.
Kenya mounted one final attack in search of victory, but a crucial knock-on brought the contest to an end as Uganda held firm to record a historic first win over their East African rivals.
The result not only ended Uganda’s long wait for victory in the fixture but also handed them a slender one-point cushion heading into the return leg.
