Heathens and KOBs set for epic derby in Nile Special Rugby Premiership

Nile Special Rugby Premiership

Fixtures

Saturday

Heathens v KOBs 4pm

Pirates v Buffaloes 4pm

Rhinos v Hippos 4pm

Mongers v Victoria 4pm

Eagles v Warriors 4pm

Elgon v Walukuba 4pm

Drama, fierce competition, and high emotions are set to take center stage as Heathens host KOBs in the Nile Special Rugby Premiership this Saturday at Kyadondo.

Two of the league’s top sides will battle it out, but for KOBs, the stakes are even higher. A victory would allow them to close the gap on league leaders Pirates, who currently sit just one point ahead. KOBs are determined to secure a bonus-point win to keep their title hopes alive.

“Our goal from the start has been to win, top the table, and reach the playoffs. This weekend is no different—our focus is on securing the win. Pirates have a more flexible fixture list, so we need to keep pushing,” explained KOBs captain Derrick Tukwasibwe.

KOBs fans are buzzing with anticipation over the potential for bonus points, but Tukwasibwe and his team are well aware of the challenge ahead. Heathens, despite their recent struggles, are known for their resilience and ability to rise to the occasion, especially at home.

“We’ve stressed in training that while Heathens may have had some setbacks, it doesn’t guarantee us a win. This is a derby, and we must respect them, especially on their home ground. They have talented young players, so we’ll stick to our game plan and fight until the very end,” Tukwasibwe added.

It has been a challenging period for Heathens, who have been without key senior players. Micheal Wokorach has been absent since their heavy loss to Pirates, and Santos Senteza left mid-season to pursue semi-professional rugby in South Africa. Compounding their woes, the team has also been dealing with significant injuries.

Despite these setbacks, Heathens captain Nobert Okeng remains focused on what the team can control.

“We’ve used this week to reflect on our game plan, identify areas to dominate, and find ways to exploit our opponents. Discipline has been an issue for us, and we’ve been caught off guard a few times. Teams are focusing heavily on their kicking game, so that’s something we’re working to counter,” Okeng said.

With the regular season concluding next week, all clubs are racing to finish strong and secure favorable quarterfinal matchups. Saturday’s clash promises to be a thrilling encounter as both teams vie for crucial points in their quest for playoff success.