For the umpteenth time, Black Pirates walked into Legends, a place they used to call home, as visitors and claimed the win, another scalp to add to their loot.
The forwards were immense and set the platform for Magomu and Wanyama to move the line. It was poetry in Lugogo but not in motion, it was poetry so strong.
What else did we see and learn?
1. Aye Aye Captain
This is Magomu Ivan’s team. Every shred of existence of the Stanbic Black Pirates bows to the calls of Captain Magomu, players and fans alike. Gone are the days when you’d be sure a big game would have a Magomu incident. The only incidents in this particular game were knowing which call to make and which ball to play. With the momentum on their side in the first half, Magomu chose to keep the scoreboard ticking rather than opting to kick for touch and try to run for five-pointers. Three attempts, three scores, nine-point haul and the nerves began to show in the blue corner.
Loud as the Notre Dame bell, Magomu was organizing the Pirates’ defense in a game you’d say he was auditioning for defense coach duties. He was always aware of the situation and reeled his troops into action. The fans easily picked up on this and the black side of the pitch was in full voice to lift up their team.
2. Magic Marvin
Underestimate Marvin Odongo at your own peril. Marvin is used to winning, and he seemed to indicate that this trophy was just the start of clear seas and skies for the sea robbers. Marvin’s résumé is elite. While playing high school rugby, Marvin uplifted the Lions of Kings College Budo at a time when he was mourning a heavy family loss. Marvin entered national colours shortly after and was always head over heels above the rest.
In addition, Marvin Odongo was the Captain of the Pirates when they lifted their first trophy in 2018. After taking on the coaching reigns from Robert Musinguzi, Marvin walked into Kyadondo and silenced the Yellow Machine of the Heathens, and has now been the coach to deliver a second title to the Stanbic Black Pirates.
His touch is Midas and long may the good things continue for him.
3. Tackling Masterclass
What was that?! Nerves were all over the place in this game as both teams put their bodies on the line. From 1-15, on either side, the tackles were hard and effective. At some point, both teams registered above 90% tackle success rate. National selectors will be pleased with what they saw today. Odongo and Makalama got their charges ready in that regard and as revellers, we were very much entertained. That was a heavy and delicious show.
4. Blunt on all fours
You struggle to remember any moments of spark from the back line of the KOBs. There was so much isolation and discontinuities in everything they did. It’s a safe bet to thank the Pirates reshuffle in the second and back rows for the interjections. Adrian Kasito was isolated and ball starved in this game and could not provide a spark from the back. The best kicker for the KOBs on the day was returning Uganda Sevens skipper, Ian Munyani. In a team with Okudi, Aredo, Kasito, Mukwaya and Arinaitwe, that is so telling.
The decision to kick for points in the first half (down 0-9), when they were kicking against strong wind, and had set piece momentum was also another howler that you can argue added jolts into the Pirates to take the game further away from the KOBs.
5. Playoffs and Finale, maybe?
For so long, Uganda rugby faithful has envied the way the Kenya Cup winds down. This year, you can we got to see the kind of atmosphere, buzz, animation, preparation and excitement that comes with a grandstand final. In whichever you look at it, Pirates at KOBs backyard was a finale. Nothing from the other grounds mattered. All eyes were on the result at Legends. All the buildup in the week was about the stakes at hand for both teams.
This is energy that the union, if they’re industrious enough, can pick on and schedule for the league to culminate in such grandeur and splendour.
By: James Kavuma
Courtesy Photos
