Day Two was all about the mixed doubles and men’s doubles at the 13th All-African Games in Ghanaian capital of Accra and the juice is that Uganda managed to win all its ties.
In the mixed doubles, the pair of Lubega Muzafaru and Husna Kobugabe won their match 2-0 against Burkina Faso pair of Mahamadi Ouedraogo and Latifata Belem.
Gladys Mbabazi and Augustus Owinyi also won 2-1 against Benin Pair of Ousmane Ouedraogo and Anna Gladys Akakpo, while Tracy Naluwooza and Expedito Emuddu beat Togo 2-0.
In the men’s doubles, Uganda still left nothing to chance. Muzafaru Lubega and Amos Mayanja beat Burkina Faso pair of Abdou Faissal Kafando and Ousmane Ouedraogo to win 2-0, then Emuddu and Owonyi subdued home boys Kelvin Alphous and Ahmad Abdul 2-0.
Coach William Kabindi trusts every step Uganda takes will bring gets them close to the podium finish.
“For every step you take, the harder it becomes but as Team Uganda, we are prepared for every handle we meet our way," Kabindi said.
On Day One, the ladies managed to book their ticket to the round of 16 in the women’s singles after winning their opening matches.
Thr women's badminton team showcased exceptional performance with Husina Kobugabe, Gladys Mbabazi, Tracy Naluwoza, and Fadilah Shamika all securing victories in the round of 32, each winning their matches with a convincing 2:0 score.
The games were pushed to Day Three, 0f Match 9, and the coach Kabindi is away the players are now in for the toughest battle.
“In the ladies singles the players will now meet the highly ranked in their various countries but I’m sure we are going to put up a very good performance and I’m positive we will be able to advance to the next round," coach Kabindi said.
On March 9, Uganda will play the mixed doubles and men’s doubles at the round of 16 to book at ticket to the quarterfinals that will be played on the same day.
The Ladies will yet again today play their round of 16. First in action on the women’s singles 22-year-old Husina Kobugabe will take on Algeria's Yassmina Chibah, Justine Tracy Naluwooza will face Benin’s Flora Sessi Loise Kpogbemabou, Gladys Mbabazi will take on Algerias Halla Bouksani, and 18-year-old Fadilah Shamika Mohamed Rafi will battle it out with Ghana’s Cindy Tornyenyor.
The winners will progress to the quarterfinals which will be played on Day Three, of March 9.
