2012 URU Nile Special Premiership Match Previews

Toyota Buffaloes versus G4S Pirates (Kyadondo Rugby Club 1700 hours)

This is a unique opener to the 2012 URU Rugby calendar. The game has been staged on Friday after the hugely successful Kobs versus Heathens clash in the previous season that was brought forward by bought teams. Pirates were third in the 2011 season while Buffaloes finished in sixth position. Pirates travel to Kyadondo Rugby club to take on Buffaloes. The last time both sides met it was a closely contested affair with pirates coming away victors with a narrow 11-13 win at the death. On paper Pirates should still prevail especially after strengthening their squad in the previous transfer window. However team manager Godwin Kayangwe has complained about some key missing players due to work and academic pressure, among them Felix Lubega, Solomon Mawanda, Oscar Opiyo and Timothy Dumba

Buffaloes will remain dark horses on home ground and will be confident, having run Pirates close in the previous season. Pirates over the years have always been the busiest in the transfer window though not much has happened by way of big name signings in the current transfer window. Scott Oluoch, Joel Anguyo, Kevin Omiyo and Davis Kiwalabye will make league debuts for Pirates while Buffaloes have signed one of Uganda’s greatest players, veteran flanker Robert Seguya who will provide experience to the youthful squad. Under 19 internationals full back Phillip ‘Ojus’ Wokorach and center Alfred Bijik will also make their league debuts for Buffaloes

Prediction: Pirates win by 8 points but denied a bonus point win.

MTN Heathens versus XFM Impis (Kyadondo Rugby Club 1700 hours)

Defending champions MTN Heathens host XFM Impis the Makerere university students. Heathens ended the 2011 league unbeaten with an astonishing 69 out of a possible 70 points. They totally dominated the league.Impis on the other hand had to survive a relegation battle against Summercamp after finishing last in the league.Impis won only 1 of her 13 games. Heathen’s team remains largely unchanged with no major signings and only lock Scott Oluoch transferred to Pirates last season.

Impis has an influx of present and former U19 internationals and will be full of energy and running. Sadly Impis never ending team management issues continue to dog them as they begin the season without a recognized coach.

Prediction: MTN Heathens garners a bonus point win by 24 points

UTL Kobs versus Nile (Kampala Rugby Club 1700 hours)

UTL Kobs ended the 2011 season a distant second from runaway leaders MTN Heathens. Nile finished the league in 7^th position. With the change of leadership in Libya Kobs sponsorship partnership with UTL appears uncertain in the interim. Kobs welcome back from a retirement mercurial fly half Edmond Tumusiime who will be joined by new signing flanker Ronald Musajja from Rhinos. Coach Fred Mudoola returned to

club rugby with a solid 29-05 win over Pirates in the Uganda Cup finals. Kobs returnees seem to be getting them back to their very high

standards and will have easy win at home against Nile.

Prediction: Nile stands no chance at Kampala Rugby Club and will lose by over 30 points

Sadolin Mongers versus Rhinos

Mongers and Rhinos finished fourth and fifth respectively for the third straight year. Mongers have landed sponsorship from Sadolin paints and will now have big ambitions of breaking into the top three. They have home advantage at the cauldron that is house of pain in Entebbe while Rhinos will be struggling with team selection as they have a number of players sitting university examinations. It is not yet clear if both teams had agreed to a postponement.

Prediction: Mongers win by 16 points.