Kobs face Stanbic Black Pirates today, 12th May 2023 in a season finale encounter of the Nile Special Rugby Premier League at Legends Grounds in Kampala. It’s a winner takes it all affair because the two sides are joint-leaders of the 10-team league with 75 points apiece.
Third placed Heathens have 72 points and will be hoping that the league leaders share spoils, a result that can see them retain the title if they post a bonus point win against Rams.
In the first round of the campaign, Pirates lost 25-30 to Kobs after a nervy ending to the game at Kings Park Arena in Bweyogerere.
Then, Adrian Kasito was named man of the match as Kobs triumphed away from home. Karim Arinaitwe bagged a double, as skipper Ian Munyani and Pius Ogena added a try each. On debut, Calvin Gizamba had a conversion, as James Ijongat added a penalty for a win on the road.
For Pirates, Alex Aturinda, Desire Ayera posted tries for the Sea Robbers. Ivan Magomu was good with his kicks and picked a couple of points for his side.
Kobs form at Legends: Kobs have won 7 of the 8 fixtures hosted at Legends this season. The only loss coming in week 3 against Heathens.
Away form: Pirates are unbeaten in away matches this season, winning all 8 of their previous away matches.
Attack: Kobs and Pirates have scored the most tries at this stage of the season, with 107 and 82 tries respectively. The top 3 points scorers in the League play either for KOBs or Pirates, Ivan Magomu (Pirates) and Kobs’ pair of Joseph Aredo and Pius Ogena.
Battle of the boot: The top two points scorers of the season, Ivan Magomu and Joseph Aredo will face off. Magomu leads the charts with 136 points, with Aredo a further 17 points behind.
Technical Bench: Both Kobs RFC and Pirates RFC coaches are former Pirates players. Brian Makalama and Marvin Odongo will each be seeking to lift a maiden League title as Head Coach.
The double: Kobs has not won both fixtures against Pirates in a single season since the 2014/15 campaign. In that span, Pirates has managed a double in the 2017/18 and 2022 seasons.
Second round: Pirates are the only side to remain unbeaten in the second round of games.
2021: The last time the two sides met on the final day of the season was 08th May 2021. Alhaji Manano and Derrick Tukwasibwe had a try each as Ijongat added five points from the boot to propel the Blue Army to the League title.
Nile Special Rugby Premier League
Matchday 18 Fixtures – 4 PM
*Kobs vs Pirates @Legends
*Rams vs Heathens @Graveyard
*Mongers vs Rhinos @House of Payne
*Buffaloes vs Impis @Kyadondo
*Hippos vs Walukuba @Damwaters
