The local rugby governing body has blamed insufficient preparations for Silverbacks’ unsatisfactory performance at the recently-concluded Africa Bronze Cup in Ghana. Rwanda finished third out of four countries in a contest that came to a climax over the weekend in Cape Coast. HOsts Ghana were crowned champions after defeating Mauritius, 23-17 in the final on Saturday. At the five-day tourney, Aime Claude Ezour’s Silverbacks started their campaign with a 57-0 hammering by the Eagles of Ghana last Wednesday before picking up a 32-22 win over Lesotho in the third place play-off on Saturday. Speaking to Times Sport from Ghana, Rwanda Rugby Federation (RRF) Secretary General Tharcisse Kamanda, who had accompanied the team, admitted their performance in Ghana was average and a lot of work needs to be done to realise improvement. “Compared to how our opponents prepared for the games, for instance Ghana, we still have a lot to do to reach their level. We were notably overpowered. While we had preparations for three weeks, the Eagles of Ghana had four months of preparations together,” Kamanda said. According to the Rugby Africa calendar, Silverbacks will return to action in September in the final preliminary round of the 2020 Olympic Games qualifiers. editorial@newtimes.co.rw
