Kampala — SURE, the 2007 Rugby World Cup qualifier between Uganda and Morocco on Saturday was a disappointment in that we lost so narrowly. But the real disappointment was that we came so close to winning it, and didn't.

And that showed on the face of assistant coach Yayiro Kasasa, who declined to talk to the press after the match.

It also showed in the sombre mood at the after-game dinner held at the Kabira Club later that evening, which looked like a wake. The Ugandans knew that they could have beaten the highest ranked African country and current Africa champions.

The real lesson here, though, is that two or three years ago we would celebrate such a close result, and would be giddy that we were not embarrassed. But on Saturday we mourned instead, and that shows just how far rugby has come in this country.

Our hopes for the World Cup are just mathematical, whimsical, and were probably immature, but it is the level we are playing rugby at now that should make us hold our heads high.

That a small country in Africa, a long way from the world's professional leagues, could have beaten the best- that is the real celebration. And whoever we play next, Cote D'Ivoire or in the Dubai Sevens, confidence should rule our hearts, that we can take on the best in the world and beat them. We know that now, and, yes, let them bring it on!