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Odhiambo makes winning debut for Kobs after dumping Hippos

Photo: Hitting hard. Andrew Odhiambo in action against Walukuba on his Kobs' debut. PHOTO/COURTESY      


What you need to know:

Odhiambo scored the opening try as Calvin Gizamba and Darrel Mwaka added one each to complement Collins Kimbowa’s brace.

Jinja Hippos have been left in a state of quagmire following the unexpected departure of their newly-elected captain Andrew Odhiambo.

The now-former Hippos backrower made his debut and scored a try for Kobs on Saturday as they bounced back to beat Walukuba Barbarians 35-23 in the preseason Masters Invitational Trophy tournament in Makerere.

Odhiambo leaves Hippos barely a month after he was elected the new club captain and player’s representative to their executive committee.

The player who joined in 2023 has been a key part of the club emerging the premiership’s top try scorer as he led Hippos to the semifinals last season.

“It’s good sometimes to look for new environment that can boost your growth as a person,” Odhiambo told Daily Monitor after his debut win. Odhiambo joins a Kobs’ team that is under rebuild after losing several key players to Victoria University. Some of the notable departures from Kobs to the University moneybags include Alhajji Manano, Saul Kivumbi, Calvin Gizamba, Robert Aziku, and Stuart Mwayi.

“I feel very good to play with some of the top players here like Pius [Ogena] and the rest and I’m sure we’ll train well and get things right by the time the season begins,” Odhiambo added.

Seeking favours

Odhiambo scored the opening try as Calvin Gizamba and Darrel Mwaka added one each to complement Collins Kimbowa’s brace.

However, despite the win, Odhiambo and his new team will have to pray for favours from his former club Hippos when they meet Walukuba this weekend in the last games of the groups.

In the other game played, Platinum Heathens thrashed Impis 46-12 to cement their top spot in Group A and will now wait for the winner in Group B to play the final in a fortnight’s time at Kyadondo Grounds.

Hippos need at least a draw against Walukuba to qualify for the final. The second-placed teams in the groups will face off in the third-place playoff for a chance to win Shs500,000 while the last will play for fifth-place.

The winners of the preseason tournament will walk home with Shs2.5m while the losing finalists will take home Shs1.5m.

RUGBY MASTERS INVITATIONAL TROPHY

Results

Kobs 35-23 Walukuba

Impis 12-46 Heathens