Pirates return to second ‘home’ for Kobs mission

KAMPALA- There is no doubt that the Hima Heathens- Betway Kobs duel is the biggest but the Stanbic Pirates-Kobs rubber closely follows and has immensely had its reputation enhanced in the last two years, thanks to the Sea Robbers emergence as potential bullies on their day.

In the last four league meetings, Pirates have won thrice and lost once with that loss coming at their Kings Park home in Bweyogerere.
Most of the pre-match talk has centred on the two meetings for obvious reasons, the home team has lost, which left the two fan bases taunting each other.

Kobs drew first blood at Kings Park last season, winning 25-13 but Pirates’ response hurt more as it muted Kobs’ title aspirations at Legends, a place Pirates call their ‘second home’.

Legends is a home Pirates shared with Kobs for over 15 years, forging a rivalry that got to its peak in the former’s last days there in 2018 when they won their first league title since birth in 1996.

The same season saw them complete a sweep in the same backyard they return to today beaming with confidence for their fifth Nile Special Stout Premiership game of the season.

Despite the rivalry, Pirates coach Bobby Musinguzi insists they respect Kobs. “From the technical point of view, it is a solid team, well coached, has rich history in Uganda rugby and are current Uganda Cup champions. That is the challenge ahead of us and we are preparing accordingly to take on the challenge. The team is excited and looking forward to playing this game,” said Musinguzi.

He also acknowledges it’s an open that could be won in a number of areas. “I think the collision area, set pieces and the team that optimizes their chances to put points on board,” he added.

For Kobs coach Davis Kyewalabye, it will be about “Emphasis on structure,” to pick a result. Pirates sit fourth on the log, a place off Kobs who can leapfrog 9 Barrels Warriors into second if the latter fail to beat leaders Heathens in the early kick off of the weekend.

NILE RUGBY PREMIERSHIP
Hippos vs. Buffaloes
4:30pm, JInja
Mongers vs. Impis
4:30pm, Entebbe
Warriors vs. Heathens
2:30pm, Legends
Rams vs. Rhinos
4:30pm, Makerere
Kobs vs. Pirates
4:30pm, Legends