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November 10, 2024

Is Impis’ Glorious Start To The Nile Special Rugby Premiership Finally Coming To An End?

3 min read

Ronald Kanyanya and Kato Nicholas applaud Heathens' fans after defeating Impis. Photo By Hassan Omar Wamwayi.

And so the fairy tale goes on. Makerere Impis are still unbeaten, winning all 5 of their opening fixtures, but how far can this winning streak go? The defending champions, The Platinum Credit Heathens will host the varsity boys at Kyadondo Rugby Club this Saturday. The Heathens are finally back to winning ways, coming off a last minute win against the Jinja Hippos. The seemingly one sided encounter could go either way.

Here Is How Both Teams Have Set Up

We know the Heathens for their dominant forwards pack, but in the recent timess the KOBs and the Black Pirates have checked it. With big guns like Santos Senteza, Shawn Baseka, Peter Bisaso and Cyrus Wathum on their front row, the yellow machine is well oiled.

The Impis pack on the other hand is a mixture of experience, brilliance and raw power. Loose forwards like Emmanuel Ssedyabane, Pius Mpoza, Paul Wabwire and John Mary Tamale are capable of punishing any team on any given day. That doesn’t take away anything from the rest of the pack as they are very mobile and skillful.

Heathens’ Nobert Okeny played the rugby of his life against the Jinja Hippos. He’ll be a big threat to Impis. Courtsey Photo.

The boots will speak and the uprights will listen. Henry Nsekuye will have to unlock a new level of kicking if he’s to out compete Aaron Ofoyrwoth, Joseph Oyet and Chris Lubanga. This is a game that is going to be won by the forwards, since the respective backs are almost equally measured.  

The Dynamics Of The Table

By the end of Game Week 6, all the teams in the Top 4 shall stay with in the Top 4. Heathens and Impis are level on 20 points, sitting 3rd and 4th respectively, 1 point behind 2nd placed KOBs. The Black Pirates are 1st with 23 points and host a struggling Rams side, they are definitely retaining the top spot.

Here is where it gets interesting. Only 7 points separate the Toyota Buffaloes in 5th from the Rhinos in 10th. Any result jumbles up the Bottom 6 teams and therefore a win is highly recommended.  

The Electric Encounters Of The Weekend

Walukuba Barbarians snatched an unlikely win from Rams, hence jumping from the bottom of the log to 7th place. The Rhinos have lost all 5 of their games and will be hoping to secure their first win against newly promoted Walukuba. They face off in Jinja this Saturday, in a mouthwatering fixture that would have been a dull one in any of the seasons gone by.

Rhino’s Pool Kalungi will have to lead from the front if they are to win against Walukuba. Photo By URU.

The Toyota Buffaloes make a trip to the Dam Waters, Jinja to play against the Jinja Hippos. A string of losses hasn’t disoriented the Jinja boys. In fact, they are more than ever motivated to get back to their winning ways. The Buffaloes played tough opponents in their fist 5 games and so they are no strangers to facing big boys. This is another game that could go either way.

Game Week 6 Fixtures

KOBs Vs Mongers – Legends, 3pm.

Heathens Vs Impis – Kyadondo, 4pm.

Walukuba Vs Rhinos – Walukuba, 4pm.

Black Pirates Vs Rams – King’s Park, 4pm.

Jinja Hippos Vs Buffaloes – Dam Waters Jinja, 4pm.

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