By: James Kavuma
Let’s talk about six, baby! Do you remember Liverpool gaffer, Jurgen Klopp, going crazy on the bus parade after the Reds secured a sixth Champions League title?!
Makerere University rugby side, Impis RFC, is going for a victory, which, if attained, could have the same weight or even surpass it.
At the start of the season, many people did not count Impis as one of the sides to have an unbeaten record five games in.
On the other end of the coin, maybe Heathens were a safer bet to be unbeaten after five games. After all, their last two titles have been won after unbeaten seasons.
Flip that coin and look at the sides, the tides did change, and Impis are the unbeaten side after five match days in the Nile Special Rugby Premiership.
The Platinum Credit Heathens will be the most challenging opponent the Impis will have faced thus far in the Saturday game that pits third against fourth.
Kyadondo has been a good hunting ground for Impis when facing Buffaloes but not as rewarding when facing the defending Champions, Heathens.
Be that as it may, Impis are in the form of their lives, with their last loss coming on the opening weekend of the Uganda Cup in 2022.
Since then, new coach Ssebuliba Syrus has guided the side to a Shield crown and is now on an unbeaten record in the Premiership (alongside 2018 Champions, Stanbic Black Pirates).
Coach Syrus on the touchline in a recent game.
League-leading scorer Henry Nsekuye has been converting kicks from all spots on the pitch. He will come up against Uganda’s darling international explorer, Aaron Ofoywroth, in a battle of the most educated fielding and placement.
Nsekuye has been in red-hot form this season
Nsekuye has had success combining with his midfielders, and he will be looking to use the same channels to inflict more pain on the already unconvincing Heathens.
Heathens are nothing close to the team that won 18 from 18 last year as Coach Mohammed Athio struggles to come to terms with the gaps left by Charles Uhuru’s suspension and Joachim Chisano’s injury absence.
The veteran squad will seek inspiration from the line commander Michael Wokorach and Nobert Okeny, who has found a new life at fullback to hurt the Impis’ unbeaten record.
Everywhere you look on the Impis roster, you will find an underrated performer, and Coach Syrus knows he can count on either of them to get a much-awaited win over the Heathens.
Leading from the front, Pius Mpoza is a man possessed with seeing Impis at the top and making sure everyone forgets that they were battling relegation not so long ago.
From where we stand, this game has the makings of being the game of the week.
Courtesy Photos
