The KOBs haven’t won any major trophy since winning the new-game league in 2021. They have been involved in fierce rivalries in recent years, particularly with the Heathens and Pirates, winning some but never winning titles.
Getting into the Uganda Cup semifinal is only half the work for a KOBs team that last won this trophy in 2018. They go into this fixture as second best, having registered a lower scoring margin against Rhinos than Pirates did against Impis, earning the Sea Robbers hosting rights.
Up to this point, Coach Timothy Mudoola says he has had a smooth ride with his charges.
“I would attribute our reaching the semifinal to the brotherhood within the camp. The players are self-driven, have individual leadership skills, and they also take accountability upon themselves, which makes my work a bit easier.”
Worthy to note, KOBs were the last side to defeat Pirates in a 15s game. This was during the regular phase of this year’s national 15s championship that the Pirates went on to win. A last-minute Josiah Ssempeke drop goal rescued the KOBs from the jaws of defeat, sending the crowds into ecstasy.
“We were the last team to beat Pirates in the 15s; it definitely wasn’t an easy feat, a very exciting game that day. We plan on trying to achieve that same thing and they definitely also want to win, because they are still bitter about it,” noted Mudoola.
That game was won with the clock in red, as many such encounters between the KOBs and Pirates have gone.
According to Coach Mudoola, this is going to be a game of “grit, hunger and anger” as he is aware that this fixture is never done and dusted, not until the fat lady sings.
Should the KOBs win Saturday’s game and then eventually win the Uganda Cup, it would mean a lot to coach Mudoola, but as he says, even more to the club.
“It would be my first trophy in my first season. As a club, it has been a minute since we won a trophy. Yes, we win games, we look good, but we now need something in the trophy cabinet for this season, with this being the final tournament of the season.”