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Two points separate the two sides at the top, Pirates are top with 28 points while Kobs have 26.
Kobs head coach Brian Makalama knows too well that a loss to Stanbic Black Pirates on Saturday would leave his side in a bad place, regarding the Nile Special Rugby Premier League title race.
But he also knows that this is a league and not a knock out tournament.
Two points separate the two sides at the top, Pirates are top with 28 points while Kobs have 26 points and would go top with victory at King’s Park on Saturday.
The pressure is, obviously, on Kobs, who have already lost to Heathens in the first round and need to win to avoid going six or seven points off the top.
“True, we cannot afford another loss but as I say, it is a league and not a knock out game,” Makalama told Pulse Sports ahead of the game.
“We cannot predict results from the next fixtures hence it is a game at a time,” he added.
Pirates, Heathens and Kobs don’t lose many games to teams outside the top three.
It is usually a matter of whether they get a bonus point win or not. And that can play a big part in the title race.
Kobs have been able to collect a bonus point in each of their six games and responded well after falling 17-15 to Heathens at Legends.
Joseph Aredo has been in fine kicking form for the Blue Army but will miss the game through injury.
James Ijongat will wear the number 10 jersey and partner Josiah Ssempeke at half back.
There is a return of Lawrence Wakabi into the fold.
This is the kind of game that can be won by the team that kicks well but Pirates will be looking to dominate the game in front of the home fans.
Pirates head coach Marvin Odongo knows what it means to face Kobs and expects the Legends’ outfit to throw everything they have at his side.
“They will empty their tanks on us and hopefully, we shall be able to absorb and return,” he told Pulse Sports.
Pirates have the leadership of Ivan Magomu to rely on. The flyhalf also leads a team that has the experience of players like Alema Ruhweza and Desire Ayera.
Last piece
Saturday’s game will be the last one for members of the Uganda Sevens team.
That means Ayera, Timothy Kisiga, Alex Aturinda and William Nkore will be playing their last game for Pirates before starting training with the national sevens side.
Adrian Kasito, Ian Munyani and Karim Arinaitwe are the players who will depart on Kobs’ side.
These will all be putting in a final shift for their respective clubs and hoping to leave them in a much better position in the league.
Nile Special Rugby Premier League
Saturday fixtures
Pirates vs. Kobs -3pm
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