Seven 7s players were released from national duty ahead of the second round of the Championship Playoffs Quarterfinals. Pius Ogena and Isaac Massanganzira were not named in the matchday squads but the other five made their first XVs appearances for their respective clubs since the league finale on May 13, 2023.
Adrian Kasito and Ian Munyani featured for KOBs against Mongers, Desire Ayera and Timothy Kisiga for Black Pirates against Rhinos, and Aaron Ofoyrwoth for Heathens against Walukuba.
Although KOBs, Pirates, and Heathens had each won their respective first-round ties, the five’s return had an undeniable impact on their successful progress into the Championship Playoffs Semifinals.
Kasito scored a try and provided an assist (to Conrad Mukwaya) in thirty-three minutes while Munyani had an assist (to Benjamin Muwanguzi) in twenty-seven minutes. When they were on the playing field, KOBs stretched their lead from 22-06 points to 51-16.
Ofoyrwoth played a full hour and commanded Heathens’ recovery from 13-10 down against Walukuba to a 28-16 victory. He converted thirty-three per cent of his attempts for points (one penalty and one conversion) in the match.
revisit the epic quarterfinal clash
Although Ayera and Kisiga’s impact cannot be quantified (owing to our inability to collect off-the-ball statistics accurately), their contribution in Pirates’ come-back from 21-00 at half-time when they were introduced as substitutes to a 30-27 victory at full-time cannot be ignored.
The Championship Playoffs enter the semifinal stage this weekend. Munyani and Kasito, Ayera and Kisiga, and Ofoyrwoth will play more minutes while Ogena and Massanganzira are expected to join the fray.
Nile Special Rugby Men’s Championship 2024 – Championship Playoffs Semifinals Round 1 Fixtures:
- Legends Rugby Grounds: KOBs vs Heathens
- Damwaters Rugby Club: Hippos vs Pirates
All matches will kick off at 4 p.m. local time (EAT).
Knockout rugby, of any kind at any level, is brutal. But these gentlemen have both the experience and skillset to make their presence felt. Each of them has played at the top of the pyramid of Ugandan rugby for nearly a decade, and that counts for something on these streets.
If not for taking matters into their own hands like they are known to do, they will be a major boost to the youngsters who have carried their respective teams through the regular season.
Isa Metrics SBL compiled the statistics used in this piece.
