The KCB KOBs needed the magic of left-footed playmaker Josiah Sempeke, to overcome the Stanbic Black Pirates and win their Uganda Cup quarterfinal encounter 16-13.
Unlike the meeting in May to conclude the Premiership, nerves were all over this game, as evidenced in the first half. It was laden with pedestrian errors, evidenced by the 6-3 scoreline favouring the KOBs at halftime.
It was a half comprised of KOBs enjoying all the territory but missing out on 4 kickable chances, highlighted by James Ijongat‘s “penanka” penalty.
The second half was different. The game saw some life. Aredo had pushed the KOBs into a 6-points cushion, but before long, Magomu had the Pirates ship knocking on the KOBs door, with a scrum in the red zone.
A collection of KOBs errors at the scrum down later, the Pirates were awarded a penalty try to push them to a 10-09 lead. Ivan Magomu would later add a penalty to push the game 13-09 further.
With the game clock winding down, substitute Josiah Sempeke caught the Pirates’ defence flat-footed, kicked the ball in the back, chased it, and grounded for what turned out to be the game-winning score.
He ably converted the try to give the KOBs a 16-13 win.
Other fixtures
In the earlier game at the graveyard, Heathens surrendered a halftime 22-10 lead to the Hippos in the second half, which saw the latter lead 23-22 with 10 minutes on the clock.
Up stepped the left-footed substitute playmaker, Daniel Malcolm Okello. Daniel nailed a penalty to restore Heathens’ lead.
Shadon Munoko, off the bench, scored what turned out to be the winning try, and Daniel Okello made sure the Hippos would need two big scores to upset the score. Heathens won 32-23.
Still, at Makerere, tenants, Lifeguard Rams, upset the landlords, Impis, to win 19-11 and make their first-ever Uganda Cup semifinals appearance.
It was masterminded by the kicking game of the Rams, as engineered by Joseph Kana, Michael Kalyango and Hashim Kabogoza.
The Eagles succumbed to the Mongers at home, losing 9-22, to end their fairy-tale run in the Uganda Cup.
Uganda Cup 2023 Men’s Quarterfinals Results:
- Heathens 32-23 Hippos
- Impis 11-19 Rams
- KOBs 16-13 Pirates
- Eagles 09-22 Mongers
Courtesy Photos
