Kobs plot revival

KAMPALA.

Hima Cement Heathens and their traditional rivals Betway Kobs find themselves in extremely unfamiliar positions.

Neither is in the top two of the Uganda Rugby Premiership heading into today’s week five fixtures. Black Pirates and Shell Rimula Rhinos are joint leaders on 20 points.

Heathens lie third, a point adrift, with Kobs, on 14, precariously in fourth. In fact, today’s game between Pirates and Rhinos at Legends is a top-of-the-table clash.
How times have changed. After Saturday’s 34-20 loss to Rhinos, Kobs sacked Italian coach Mirko Dal Molin with club chairman Adrian Bukenya reading the riot act.

Ex-player Edmond Tumusiime was tasked with restoring the defamed reigning league champions. His task starts at Makerere, facing a fledging Impis side.

“I have been trusted with this club because I love it and I am sure I can bring back whatever has been missing,” interim coach Tumusiime told Saturday Monitor.

The former fly-half, arguably the greatest here, finds a team short in defence and thin on numbers due to injuries and absenteeism.

“I want us playing again the typical Kobs way,” Tumusime asserts. That ‘way’ starts with backs James Ijongat and Joseph Aredo who grew immensely under Mirko.

The manner in which Rhinos ripped them apart in that second half at Legends only accentuated the weaknesses of this Kobs’ side.

Coach Brian Makalama’s Rhinos will confront an equally tough, if not tougher Pirates, with the latter’s Ivan Magomu branding this phase as title-decider.

“If we can get results against all these sides (Rhinos, Kobs and Heathens), then this could be our season to win it,” Magomu said.

They should wary of scum half Kevin Markmot’s boot from the tee as he kicked five penalties and two conversions devoured Kobs.

Pirates could respond with a newfound cutting edge after Timothy Kisiga, Eric Butime, William Mucunguzi and Marvin Odongo blew away Mongers with tries.

In Entebbe, Mongers, who gifted Rhino with five points for fielding Andrew Olweny whilst not including him on the team sheet, host Heathens.

The latter dropped what could prove to be crucial bonus point while beating Toyota Buffaloes 19-11 who should sweep away Gulu Elephants.

Mising link

I have been trusted with this club because I love it and I am sure I can bring back whatever has been missing.’

UGANDA RUGBY PREMIERSHIP
TODAY’S FIXTURES
Impis vs Kobs, 4.30pm (Makerere)
Warriors vs Rams, 2.30pm (Legends)
Buffaloes vs Gulu, 4.30pm (Kyadondo)
Mongers vs Heathens, 4.30pm (Entebbe)
Rhinos vs Pirates, 4.30pm (Legends)