Two of East Africa and Africa’s finest golfing nations Uganda and Kenya will once again renew their rivalry in the second Edition of the now Annual Victoria Cup that tees off on Thursday at the Par 71 Entebbe Golf Course. Having won the inaugural tournament by a point at the Muthaiga Golf club last year in Nairobi, Team Kenya is banking on the experience of Alfred Nandwa (Captain), John Karichu, Edwin Mudanyi, Mike Kisiya and Samuel Njoronge to defend the prestigious Victoria Cup come Saturday when the tournament will officially come to an end. Kenneth Bolo, Denis Nsaikwa, Jeff Kubwa, Agil Isi-Haq, Mutai Kagwe are the other players who will feature for team Kenya.
Team Kenya Captain Alfred Nandwa Speaks Out.
28 year old Alfred Nandwa, is upbeat and has commended Entebbe Club for organizing the course which he said is in perfect condition for the Championship.
“We did a practice round yesterday (Tuesday) and today (Wednesday). The course is in good shape, greens are quite good, and no bad roughs so there is a chance to recover. By and large, the course is in perfect condition for the Championship. I’ve played on the Entebbe Golf Course in two previous tournaments the East African Golf Challenge in 2014 and the East African Community Shield in 2015 which we won and the Victoria Cup is my third tournament in Entebbe.
Nandwa who is closely working with newly appointed Coach John Van Leaf land, a Dutch national will decide at the end of the year whether to turn Pro.
“John Van Leaf land came in last year in February three weeks to the Kenya Open and replaced Brian Njoronge who is now the Golf Development officer. I’m working with Leaf land on a Golf coaching Program until the end of the year and thereafter I’ll decide whether I can turn pro”, Nandwa disclosed.
Team Uganda Coach Amos Kamya Confident Of Positive Result Against Rivals Kenya.
Following an intense and grueling qualification campaign, Amos Kamya Team Uganda Coach is confident his ten-man squad will edge rivals Kenya and add the Victoria Cup to his trophy Cabinet that includes the two East African Golf Challenge trophies and the Zone VI title.
”I’m confident that we can edge Kenya because Team Uganda has never lost on home soil. We have had enough preparations and two test matches against the Pros who included Deo Akope, Fred Wanzala and Vincent Byamukama and we beat them. Kenya has a very good team but we aren’t afraid of them”, Coach Amos told entebbenews.
A heavy down pour that delayed the official flag raising ceremony on Wednesday at the Entebbe Golf Club’s 19th Hole was a sign of good omen and blessing to Team Uganda from the heavens who every time they have played Kenya on home soil, it has always rained.
The three day tournament will climax on Saturday with the awarding of the trophy.
Team Uganda:
Amos Kamya (Coach), Mwanja Becca (Captain and based at the Uganda Golf Club in Kampala), Adolf Muhumuza (Toro Club), Ronald Rugumayo (Toro), Mutebi Deco (Entebbe), Muhammad Ismail (Jinja), David Kamulindwa (Toro), Kato Davis (Entebbe), Baguma Richard (Toro), Emma Ogwang (Entebbe), Martin Ochaya (Entebbe).
Four Ball, Better Ball Day One Team Pairing.
Adolf Muhumuza and Muhammad Ismail Vs Samuel Njoronge and Denis Saikwa.
David Kamulindwa and Richard Baguma Vs Alfred Nandwa and Agil Isi-Haq.
Mwanja Becca and Ronald Rugumayo Vs Edwin Mudanyi and Mutahi Kagwe.
Martin Ochaya and Deco Mutebi Vs John Karichu and Mike Kisia.
