This last weekend in Kitgum, the Heathens fielded a side without their central production units to try and hunt for glory.
Glory in terms of winning the circuit was not found, but another kind of light started to shine from the end of the tunnel.
Over the last two seasons, the Heathens have been averaging the oldest squad in the country.
Well, it looks like the chickens are coming home to roost. The Heathens find themselves in a position where the fat lady is starting to sing for the careers of many of their seasoned performers.
We all knew that the retirement of Alex “Musava” Mubiru and Michael Wokorach relinquishing the captain’s armband was the start of the end for this unit.
The old guard has been loyal servants of the Kyadondo outfit and perennial winners while at it, but it is time for a new era.
Heathens were without Wokorach, Ofoywroth, and Okeny for the greater part of the season. Two games into the said season, the Heathens lost skipper Charles Uhuru to a season-long ban.
The Sevens flyers made it for Stone City 7s but could not kit up for Kitgum a week later, and neither did Lawrence Ssebuliba or Chris Lubanga.
Finding Balance between the new and old
The team relied upon the ever-green Scott Oluoch as the old wise head. It was a team laden with a crop you’d call unproven looking to make their mark for the Heathens to stand up and be counted.
Captained by the speedy and elusive Otema Claude, the Kyadondo side reached the semifinals and returned with a report card that pronounced them fourth.
Jordan Bongomin, Trevor Ochan and Joseph Oyet now have the chance to make themselves the main shot callers for this team in the absence of Paul Epillo and Innocent Gwoktho. The twins, Oyuk, Kalema, and Okello, will gladly follow.
Last year was the best chance for the Heathens to win the sevens title. The way things have started for them this year doesn’t show they will even try to eclipse that performance. So has been the case since 2014.
One thing is given, they cannot be relegated because they have some grit to make sure they avoid that.
Next step – give time to non-marquee players to make their name in the game. Let them crash and clash with the country’s best as they bide their time. It is only with game time that experience is built.
For example, we are seeing a totally different and mature Otema from the one that lit up Buddu 7s in 2019.
Obviously, it would be foolhardy to let go of the old guard in one sweep because these are battle-hardened bodies and still have a tank of gas in their engines to inspire a win.
The fact that Captain Akera Komakech is departing the country for greener pastures makes the older unit even more relevant on this journey.
Courtesy Photos
