By Ian Asabo
The last weekend of the month culminated into a great sports fest. The quarterfinals of the Africa Cup of Nations took place, the Australian open came to its conclusion while the UCU Canons won another 3×3 tournament as their preparations continue for the University world cup in October. These are the moments of the week.
UCU sports moments of the week
The UCU Canons continue their preparations for the 3×3 University World cup in October by winning the KCCA 3×3 having defeated the JEDI in the final at the Lugogo Hockey grounds. Baale Fayed won the MVP award to make it a clean sweep for the men. The Lady Canons narrowly missed out after losing 14-9 to the Firebirds in the final.
It was a bad day at the office for the UCU rugby team, the Shepherds as they lost 50-10 at home to RFC Eagles to kick off their 2022 campaign of the Central Rugby League on Saturday. The Mukono- based side were physically outmatched from the start as their guests had a stroll in the park. There is a lot of work to be done by the Shepherds if they are to have a successful tournament. The team is scheduled to face the Boks at Legends on Saturday, 5th, February 2022
The UCU Angels continued their recent good form in the second round of the Uganda Netball Super league by defeating bottom side Posta, 60-44 in Kampala. This win takes the side above .500 as they look to climb the table. The team faces Police next in Bombo looking to make it three wins in a row and distance themselves from the Cops on the league table.
Final four remain in Cameroon
The quarter finals of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations took place over the weekend as four teams qualified to semi-finals and step closer to glory.
Ten-man Burkina Faso stunned the Cartage Eagles of Tunisia on Saturday courtesy of a Dango Outtara goal to make the semifinals for the first time since the 2017 edition in Gabon. They face Senegal in the next round who will be looking to make it to back-to-back finals after their loss to Algeria in Cairo back in 2019. The Teranga lions made it to the semifinals courtesy of a convincing 3-1 win over Equatorial Guinea, and will be favourites heading into the semifinal with intentions of winning their first title.
In the other semifinal, the hosts, Cameroon, face the record African champions in Egypt in a repeat of the 2017 AFCON final. Captain and Talisman, Mo Salah provided the goal and assist to lift the “Pharaohs” to the semifinals defeating their North African rivals, Morocco, after extra time. Cameroon head to the final four with a nation behind them and looking to win their sixth title and on home soil. Confidence will be sky high after the exploits of their front two; Karl Toko Ekambi and Vincent Aboubakar who have combined for 11 goals in the competition so far.
Career high night for Ish Wainwright as Suns reach 40 wins
Silverbacks Power Forward Ismael Wainwright had a career night as he scored 10 points as the Phoenix Suns beat San Antonio to make it to 40 wins. The Ugandan International also garnered two rebounds and one assist as the Suns became the first side in the league to make it to 40 wins. The 2020 NBA finalists are now on a ten-game winning run as Wainwright continues to make the most of his opportunity as a ‘role player’.
Nadal conquers Melbourne as he wins record-breaking 21st Grand Slam
Tennis Icon, Rafael Nadal defeated Danili Medvedev in five sets to win the 2022 Australian Open and clinch a record breaking 21st Grand slam in Melbourne. The ‘King of Clay’ overtakes rivals and tennis icons, Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer who both have 20 grand slam titles to their name. This win was his second title in Australia after his first won in 2009 and his first major since the Roland Garros in 2020.
The Madrid- born star will be looking to continue his brilliant start to the year after he missed the last five months of 2021 due to a foot injury.
