This weekend, the Uganda Cup comes to a conclusion as defending champions, Platinum Credit Heathens, hope to retain the crown against the Lifeguard Rams in a rematch of their encounter in the pool stages from late 2023.
The Heathens are without blemish in the Uganda Cup, winning from the Pool stages all the way to the final while scoring for fun and dominantly.
The win against the KCB KOBs in the semifinals (30-23) for the second year in a row and coming from 10-03 down is the boost the yellow machine needs to tame the giant slayers that are the Rams.
The Rams have registered one loss (06-26 to the Heathens in the pool stages) and have since mastered an incredible run that saw them defeat Barbarians away to condemn them to miss the knockouts, beating Impis away to end their journey at the quarters, and beating Mongers via count toss, after mastering a massive comeback from 16-03 down to draw 19-all.
On paper, the Rams look lighter than the Heathens, and the group stages loss doesn’t help, but the leadership at the Kyadondo-based side know otherwise.
“By the time a team makes their way to the final, they are not to be underestimated. Anything can happen. We shall put our best foot forward and make sure to make the day,” said Coach Muhammad Athiyo of the Platinum Credit Heathens.
This weekend means a lot more to the Makerere-based Lifeguard Rams, who were handed a lifeline by the Lifeguard sponsorship after a very abysmal Premiership season that saw them languish in the relegation zone.
The Rams are making their first-ever appearance in the Uganda Cup final, joining the Heathens, KOBs, Pirates and Impis as the only teams ever to reach a Uganda Cup final.
“We are coming for a final and are going to play hard. I understand we are being looked at as the underdog, but our ammo has been slaying giants, and Saturday is another chance to slay another giant,” said Coach Lumu of the Lifeguard Rams.
In the women’s final, new kids on the block Nile Rapids are making the journey to Bweyogerere to take on the defending champions, Avengers, in a battle of close quarters.
The Nile Rapids will walk into Kings Park Arena for the second weekend in a row, hoping to secure a maiden title. The Black Pearls found out the way when they got outmuscled and outlasted by the Rapids, with the latter winning 27-26.
The Avengers dethroned Thunderbirds in 2022 and are on course to defend their title, having beaten the Thunderbirds (again) in another intense semifinal, 11-10.
Uganda Cup 2023 Finals – 20th January 2023
Venue – Kings Park Arena, Bweyogerere
Women – Nile Rapids vs Avengers – 2 pm
Men – Platinum Credit Heathens vs Lifeguard Rams – 4 pm
Courtesy Photos
