Uganda rugby coach John Duncan has resisted calls to drop Chris Lubanga from the Cranes' squad to Zimbabwe for the do-or-die Africa Cup tier 1A encounter on Saturday.

However, the safety-first fly-half will face stiff competition from the enigmatic and flamboyant Ivan Magomu following his dreadful performance in the 31-40 loss to Namibia earlier this month.

Magomu makes the 23-man squad following an injury in April for the game that could decide Uganda's future in the top tier of African associate rugby.

Last Saturday, Namibia edged closer to retaining the Africa Cup with an eight-try 56-21 demolition of Kenya to move 10 points. Kenya have five, Uganda one and Zimbabwe trail on zero.

Upon return from Harare, Uganda will travel to Kenya with the bottom side set to be relegated to tier 1B. The latter race is clearly Uganda versus Zimbabwe now.

Bad moment

In addition, young utility back Robert Masendi is in the side while Philip Wokorach and Joseph Aredo, who have played at fullback for almost forever, remain options.

Lubanga, the most experienced of the play-makers in the side, got his placement kicking wrong and hardly created anything for his teammates against Namibia.

His coach continues to back him. "Every sportsman will know that you have a bad moment of a bad game. The important thing is to move on," South African Duncan said. "He just has to clear his head and get on with the job. Like I always say, class is permanent while form is temporary," he added.

There aren't other major additions and omissions to the side beaten by Namibia here except replacement scrum-half Kevin Markmot and inside centre Gerald Ssewankambo. Davis Kyewalabye is the only natural scrum-half named. Centre Oscar Kalyango is likely to step in partner vice-captain Michael Wokorach in a midfield in a partnership that has largely failed to work together before as both preferred to be second centres.

Uganda Squad

Forwards: Brian Odongo (captain) Syrus Wathum, Asuman Mugerwa, Chris Kimbowa Arthur Mpande, Pius Ogena, Marvin Odongo, Elijah Ssegawa, Charles Uhuru, John William Wandicho, Brian Asaba, Byron Oketayot

Backs: Davis Kyewalabye, Chris Lubanga, Ivan Magomu, Robert Masendi, James Odongo, Lawrence Ssebuliba, Eric Kasiita, Oscar Kalyango, Michael Wokorach (vice-captain), Joseph Aredo, Philip Wokorach - wires