For Kobs and Pirates, the math is quite simple. The winner of the game will be crowned champion, while the loser will likely drop to third place in the final standings.
With one game left for each team in the Nile Special Rugby Premier League, no one has a firm grip on the title yet.
The top three teams still have a chance to snatch the top prize, but only two, Kobs and Pirates, can win it, realistically.
Mathematically, Heathens are still in the contest but it would require a miracle for the numbers to add up.
15:45 - 12.05.2023
RUGBY Kasito, Munyani named in Kobs team to face Pirates
But due to their engagements with the Uganda Sevens team, Kasito and Munyani have missed the last 10 games of the campaign.
A draw between the top two and a bonus-point win for Heathens north of 100 points would see Heathens defending their title. Yes, they are facing an already relegated Rams, but it is unlikely they will pull that off.
For Kobs and Pirates, the math is quite simple. The winner of the game will be crowned champion, while the loser will likely drop to third place in the final standings.
“We know what is at stake, and we will have to be on top of our game,” Kobs winger Mark Osuna said ahead of the game.
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12:22 - 12.05.2023
RUGBY Kobs winger Mark Osuna says there are no excuses ahead of title decider
Osuna and Kobs will have the opportunity of lifting the title when they host second-placed Stanbic Black Pirates at Legends on Saturday.
The league title is at stake, and Kobs are in the driving seat. They are tied on 75 points but have a much better points difference (523) compared to the Sea Robbers (335).
But the only way points difference will come into play is if there is a draw between the top two sides, and Pirates will be looking to win the game and the title.
That is the only way out for them.
“It is a scenario of a cup final because the points difference and bonus points don’t matter. What matters is who wins on the final day,” Pirates captain Isaac Massa said.
Kobs have been high-scoring all season and collected 15 bonus points to lead the table.
On the other hand, Pirates are unbeaten since that 30-25 loss to Kobs on Match Day Seven and beat Heathens 08-06 in the second round to ready themselves for the finale.
Record-chasing Ogena
Pirates will be wary of eighthman Pius Ogena, who has been in top form all season and has individual goals to chase.
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21:13 - 08.05.2023
RUGBY How Pius Ogena set his sights on equaling the tries-record milestone
However, Five match days into the season, the Kobs's loose forward was topping the tries leaderboard, and that's when it struck him that he could step it up and equal the most tries to record.
Whereas Ogena will have eyes on lifting his second league title, he will also be trying to set a new record for the most number of tries scored in a season.
His hattrick against Impis last Saturday moved him to 22 for the season, level with teammate Justin Kimono and Allan Musoke, who recorded similar numbers in 2014 and 2009, respectively.
One more try will leave Ogena alone at the top.
The return
Kobs and Pirates have had to negotiate the last 10 matchdays without the services of some of their key players.
The group that is part of the Uganda Sevens set-up has been out since Match Day Seven but returns for the last piece of the action.
10:30 - 12.05.2023
RUGBY A desirous team and finer margins will determine the winner – Marvin Odongo
The Nile Special Rugby Premiership goes on the wire, and the winner between Pirates and Kobs on Saturday will be crowned champions.
Kobs head coach Brian Makalama has already named Adrian Kasito and Ian Munyani in his starting team, and it is expected Marvin Odongo will count on some of his own from the World Rugby Sevens Challenger Series.
Nile Special Rugby Premier League
Saturday fixture
Kobs vs. Pirates -4pm, Legends
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