Biggest start ever of the Nile Special Rugby Premier League. (Part 1)

A section of the Betway Kobs ‘Blue Army' line up left to right

Edgar Sseruwagi, Khemis Ibrahim, Brian Opara, Daniel Ortega, Aaron Jurua, Daudi Ssemwami before kickoff of the 2019 Uganda Cup finals at the Kings Park Arena, Bweyogerere.

A section of the Betway Kobs ‘Blue Army' line up left to right Daniel Ortega, Aaron Jurua, Daudi Ssemwami, Emmanuel Ecodu, Conrad Mukwaya, Ian Munyani, Justin Kimono, Philip Muhoozi, Wilobo Mukili

The Hima Cement Heathens' players in a huddle during the Uganda Cup final. At the extreme left is Scott '300' Oluoch who is back at Heathens with Shirt 1- Santos Ssenteza

Shirt 2-  Ronald Kanyanya

Tall one with dreads and shoulder on Kanyanya is Simon Olet(Aka Diego)

Players try to get used to the lights during the 'dry run' at Kyadondo last night. The pitch and lights are set for today's league opener.

The Kyadondo pitch dry run testing of the lights at the night of 28th November 2019.

The 4th set of floodlights being assembled by a technician.

3rd set of floodlights near Michael's roast zone.

The 2nd set of new floodlights being worked on by a technician.

The first set of floodlights at the main scoreboard corner. Kyadondo Rugby Club 28th November 2019.

The Hima Cement Heathens squad for the Premier League 2019/20.

The Betway Kobs team list for the 2019/20 Nile Special Stout Rugby Premier League.

The Hima Cement Heathens pose donning their new Kit before the 2019 Uganda Cup at Kyadondo

The Betway Kobs poster for the Nile Special Stout Rugby Premier League (NSSRPL) opening match.

The Nile Special Stout Rugby Premier League Round 1 fixtures.

The URU President Godwin Kayangwe (L) receives a dummy cheque from Francis Nyende the Nile Special Stout brand manager at the press conference held at the Kyadondo Rugby Club on 28th November 2019. Others are KOB's Joseph Aredo (blue), Oscar Olaro URU Vice President-Technical and Heathens' Michael Wokorach in green.

Let us all keep our eyes on the prize. Each team must keep its  focus, train hardest, remain teachable, all teams need to have their A game and give their very best EVERY TIME. 

God gives us all these blessings but He is counting on us to Manage this season 2019 to 2020 well and play good rugby enjoy the campaign guys.

On Friday at 8pm will mark the start of the 2019/20 Nile Special Rugby Premier League with the defending champions Hima Cement Heathens hosting the 2019 Uganda Cup champions; Betway Kobs at the Kyadondo

Rugby Club. It is the first time in over 2 decades with these giants opening the league campaign. It is the first time ever we are seeing a game kicking off at 8pm in Uganda for Rugby. This certainly bodes well with a pillar in the new URU Strategic plan which promises to ensure fans have great unforgettable experiences.

The old rivalry between the Heathens and Kobs is legendary and you can be sure to see most of the retired players across the years at the grounds alongside new fans and neutrals. The hype for the game has been very good with both sides itching for a victory. The Uganda Cup finals are still fresh in the fans’ memory and it will be anybody’s guess who wins this one. The two teams have been the most dominant over the years winning all but two (2) leagues. The disruption of their almost ironclad grasp on the league came in 1996 and in 2017 where the Makerere Impis and Black Pirates won respectively.

The Heathens have the lion’s share with 14 titles and Kobs with 12 according to statistics released by the URU. Will either add on these figures? Well other teams will have a say in all the proceedings in the 18 long weeks. In the Uganda Cup final held a fortnight ago, the Betway Kobs shocked the Hima Cement Heathens with a last gasp try and a neat conversion by Ivan Kirabo to take the knockout cup with a narrow 15-14 victory at the Kings Park Arena in Bweyogerere. Whoever wins this opening game will have a slight psychological edge on Friday and also going forward.

If the Uganda Cup final is anything to go by then expect sharper skills to open up each other’s mean defences. No player can afford to blink with the ball still active on the pitch. You snooze, you lose. End of the story. Wait for another 11 weeks to make amends if lucky. We do not expect a big difference between these almost equally matched sides and probably the only bonus point on offer will be for the losing team which is awarded when and if you are within 7 points on the scoreboard.

Rugby256 visited the Kyadondo grounds last week and mid this week and we are impressed with the work done so far by Kyadondo Rugby Club. It is our wish that this will be the trend at other venues in the near future. Friday night games in Lugogo among the biggest rivals will see the hosting facilities stretched further than some Test matches held previously.

On the pitch, the teams which will make lesser mistakes will have a good chance to winning the match. Both sets of players will have to adjust quickly to how the centre referee manages the breakdown situation. The knocks will be massive as each side tries to dominate possession and gain further territory. Recent history shows that a lead by half time is ideal but not necessary to ensure victory after the exhausting 80 minutes.

The timing of tactical substitutions will also count and the new XV’s Betway Kobs’ Head Coach; Davis Kiwalabye will be up against the tactical acumen and experience of Head Coach Athiyo Nyango and Tolbert Onyango. Davis has since won the National Sevens Circuit and the Uganda Cup and many Kobs’ fans will be hoping he can do a triple by winning the Premiership in his time as the Kobs’ Head Coach. The Heathens will definitely not entertain those thoughts.

(END OF PART 1)

*Rugby 256* salutes the entire rugby fraternity for the all they do for Rugby. Hope you enjoyed the Uganda Cup and Rugby World Cup 2019 as we start the Uganda Rugby Premier League let’s not forget to spread “The World Rugby Core Values: Integrity, Passion, Solidarity, Discipline and Respect ......“ We always appreciate you liking our official facebook page @rugby256, instagram @rugby256er, twitter @rugby256 and subscribe to our Youtube channel @Rugby256TV Check out our blog too at rellrugby256.blogspot.com.