Having won their last league title in 2021, 14-time Uganda Rugby League champions KCB KOBs will look to go the distance this year and close in on record champions Platinum Credit Heathens whose tally stands at 16.
With a new league format that features a round robin regular season and playoffs, there is minimal room for error with aggregate score winners guaranteed qualification from the two-legged quarterfinals and semifinals starting this weekend.
While the Victor Wadia coached side endured a tough start to this season – losing their opening two games against Stanbic Black Pirates and Jinja Hippos, the side was able to complete the campaign in fourth place to book a date with the Plascon Mongers in the quarterfinals.
Despite the absence of several key players due to national team duty and injuries that have hampered the team’s campaign, Wadia is confident the team will follow up their regular season win over the Entebbe side with victory in the quarterfinals.
“The team is a project and we have had to blend young players with the experienced ones. Mongers are a tough side and we had to play in a technical way to come out on top when we faced them in Entebbe. We will approach the game the same way and I believe we will come through,” Wadia stated.
Experienced center Joseph Aredo reflected on his side’s readiness saying, “We have gone back to the drawing board and come up with new strategies and player combinations with focus on the young players. We have seen squad rotation and we are in high hopes for a win.”
The winner between the two sides will face the winner between Walukuba Barbarians and Platinum Credit Heathens with the other draw pitting Toyota Buffaloes against Jinja Hippos and Rhinos against Stanbic Black Pirates.