Kobs chasing Uganda Cup hat-trick in Heathens’ den

Two trips to Jinja’s Dam Waters ground in two years, have delivered the ultimate reward for DMark Kobs and covered for so many of their shortcomings in recent times.

MTN Heathens’ streak of four successive Nile Special Rugby Premier League titles, four of the last five Ecobank 7s titles and the irregularity in holding the Makerere 10s, has left little or nothing for the rest.

It has made the Nile Special Uganda Cup even more important. Today at Kyadondo ground, it’s again Heathens who stand in Kobs’ way as the latter seek a third Cup in a row. The two giants last met in this competition in the final two years ago with Kobs winning 14-10. “They have an advantage over us being defending champions,” Brian Tabaruka, the Heathens coach, said. Despite a convincing 20-9 triumph over G4S Pirates in the semifinals, Heathens, record winners of the Cup with seven titles, want to deflect attention.

The absence of veteran forwards Alex Mubiru (ban) and Mathias Ochwo (injury) makes them less of a force. In addition, brothers Romano Ogwal and Denis Mulo lost their father this week. Prop Asuman Mugerwa and Evans Kingasia also need late calls to make the game. That renders the return of wing Jonathan Onen from a four-week ban only a drop in the ocean. “We will stand tall,” Tabaruka vowed.

However, if Kobs’ last two triumphs have taught us anything, the depleted side always steps up. “It doesn’t help at all. You cannot depend on absences to win,” Kobs coach Fred Mudoola, who missed the semifinal, said.
Having beaten Sadolin Mongers 35-10 in the semis, Kobs confront a machine that hasn’t lost a 15s game at their Kyadondo home since 2009.
Kobs’ 20-19 victory then is fading fast. “I didn’t know we haven’t won there for this long,” Mudoola said. “Playing away from home makes us underdogs but I don’t care where we play.”

His absentee worries are less than Tabaruka’s. Fingers are crossed on the fitness and availability of Brian Odong as well as Joseph Aredo, the Wakabi brothers, Simon and Lawrence, Tony Luggya and Andrew Barasa. Kickers James Ijongat (exams) and Kevin Markmot (injured) are ruled out. “The team that wants it most on the day will win,” Mudoola added.

In the semis, Heathens had a timid first half before Faisal Gamma and Michael Wokorach came off the bench to turn the screw with the latter among the tries. Richard Barigye, Brian Kikawa and Ochwo got the others.

ikigongo@ug.nationmedia.com