The Jinja Hippos wouldn’t have dreamed of a better and more fitting start to the year than a game against the Platinum Credit Heathens.
There was tension that could be cut by a table knife between the two clubs towards the end of the transfer window with stalled negotiations of players, and this added fuel to an already bright flame of sourness between the two sides.
Defending Champions, Platinum Credit Heathens were the only team to end the Uganda Cup group stages without a loss and welcome a Jinja Hippos side to Kyadondo Rugby that is raring to go and claim a major scalp on their way to reigniting the flame that won them the 2022 National Sevens title.
The Hippos had a strange Uganda Cup with two wins, a draw (against Rhinos) and a loss (against Impis) and needed a calculator with fresh batteries to find their margin of playoff qualification.
On the other hand, the Heathens got their business done – registering the biggest winning margin in the pool stages – a 138-07 away win at the Tooro Lions.
Players to watch
There could be some truth to the fact that Lawrence Ssebuliba has an elixir that keeps him young and rejuvenated, and the yellow machine will be looking forward to his bursting runs down the wing, being set up by the able half-back combination of the returning Paul Epillo and the young and hungry Daniel Malcolm Okello.
The ever-shining Maxwell Ebonga returned from a long injury layoff during the pool stages. The Dam Waters faithful will look out for the mercurial back to inspire his team to a famous victory on enemy turf.
One Bagalana out, one Bagalana in. After the departure of Tawfiq Bagalana, Ayman Bagalana is the latest in the family to suit up and shine for the Hippos.
The addition of the Brighton Bakasa into the backline is more spice that Hippos need to overwhelm the frontline singing merchants.
After serving pound for pound in 2022, Hippos and Heathens somehow avoided each other in the 2023 National Sevens, and this is the first we’ll see of them since the Premiership ended in May 2023.
Courtesy Photos
