The Walukuba Barbarians secured a spot in the Uganda Cup quarterfinals with a convincing 40-21 win over Kakira Simbas at the Ruck Yard. This sets up a highly anticipated match against the defending champions, Stanbic Black Pirates, at the King’s Park arena in Bweyogerere on November 7. The Pirates also had a comfortable win in their round of 16 clash, beating Mbale Elephants 43-3 in Mbale. Walukuba's victory has raised hopes that they can make a deep run in the tournament.
The Pirates are looking to continue their strong form, which saw them win the league title in June. Their success was dedicated to their former teammate, Sydney Gongodyo, who passed away earlier in the year. The team showed their appreciation for Gongodyo by meeting his mother and presenting her with souvenirs after their win against Mbale Elephants. However, Walukuba's journey to the quarterfinals was not without its challenges, as they struggled with financial difficulties and irregular performances from key players during the sevens season.
Walukuba coach Leonard Lubambula is confident that his team can cause an upset against the Pirates, despite their poor record against them at King’s Park. Lubambula noted that his team was dominant in their clash against Kakira, particularly in the set-pieces, which provided a platform for their win. However, he acknowledged that the Pirates provide a different level of challenge and that his team needs to improve on certain aspects, particularly their defensive strategy.
Walukuba's defensive lapses were evident in their game against Kakira, where they were breached several times, particularly in the first half. Lubambula attributed these lapses to the team's rustiness, having not played 15s rugby at a competitive level for five months. However, he believes that his team has corrected those mistakes and will be better prepared for the match against the Pirates.
One advantage that the Pirates have is their squad depth, which allowed them to rest players since June and have a backlog of fresh players for the Uganda Cup. In contrast, Walukuba has had to manage the recovery of their sevens players, who are also key personnel in their 15s side. This could make a significant difference in the match, as the Pirates' fresh players may have an edge in terms of fitness and endurance.
Despite the challenges, Lubambula remains optimistic about his team's chances, stating that they intend to capitalize on the opportunity and build towards their target of playing in the Enterprise Cup next year. The match against the Pirates will be a tough test for Walukuba, but Lubambula is confident that his team has made significant improvements and can cause an upset.
The match between Walukuba Barbarians and Stanbic Black Pirates promises to be an exciting encounter, with both teams looking to make a statement in the Uganda Cup. Walukuba will look to change their trend of not beating Pirates at King’s Park in a 15s game, while the Pirates will aim to continue their dominance and make a successful defense of their title.
Key points
- Walukuba Barbarians face a tough test against defending champions Stanbic Black Pirates in the Uganda Cup quarterfinals.
- The Pirates have a significant advantage in terms of squad depth and freshness, which could make a difference in the match.
- Walukuba coach Leonard Lubambula is confident that his team can cause an upset and make a deep run in the tournament.
