Title race down to Heathens against Kobs
Resilient: Ayikoru (left) in training
KAMPALA. Hima Heathens’ 18-15 win over Stanbic Pirates on Saturday in the Nile Special Premiership cropped the champions out of the title race picture.
Mathematically, the Sea Robbers are still in the mix but would have to depend on results elsewhere.
Eleven points off the pace is an uphill task especially if it’s out of your hands. Kobs and Heathens are level on 55 points with Pirates in a distant third on 44, but Kobs boast a huge points difference of 193 to enjoy the view from the summit.
It’s 12 games down the drain and six left but Heathens look to have the easier run-in. They play Kobs on Saturday and there is not so much to worry about after that. On the other hand, after dealing with Heathens, Kobs have to play Pirates who would love to spoil their party.
However, both camps believe all the remaining ties are equally challenging. Heathens coach Mohammed Athiyo is adamant if they got a result against Kobs, the season would still be far from over.
“I would disagree with that,” he told Daily Monitor when asked if a win at Kobs would guarantee a fourteenth league title for Heathens.
“The season is still a long way to the finish line, we would still have games to play and win because no team shows up to lose, we can’t undermine anyone but play all the way to the end,” he added.
Kobs captain Brian Asaba has seen his side get top spot since they were kicked off by Heathens in the first round with defeat at Kyadondo. And he is challenging his teammates to keep the position all the way by winning all the remaining ties.
“We have put ourselves in a do-or-die position by getting here, we can only stay up by winning all the way.”
