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Their win last Saturday wasn't sheer luck, as claimed by many rugby buffs. It was an intricate, drawn-out plan which clicked, bolstering the Nile Rapids enough to win their first Uganda Cup title. Let us delve into what was on beat for Nile Rapids to become Champions.
Uganda Cup rookies, Nile Rapids, had never thought of the prospect of lifting the Uganda Cup Trophy, even in their wildest dreams.
They were satisfied with just participating in the tournament after only getting to know they would be a part three days to the first game day after the Lady Swans from Entebbe dropped out.
Their win last Saturday wasn't sheer luck, as claimed by many rugby buffs. It was an intricate, drawn-out plan which clicked, bolstering the Nile Rapids enough to win their first Uganda Cup title. Let us delve into what was on beat for Nile Rapids to become Champions.
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THE MAGICAL WATER BOY ATIBU SAIDI
The Nile Rapids had an undercover card in Coach Atibu Saidi who had previously led the Jinja Hippos to the helm of sevens Rugby in 2022.
The extremely passionate Atibu Saidi was seen in the rapids camp since the Nile rapids confirmed their qualification to the semi-finals, and his presence on the pitch as a water boy boosted the girls confidence, his high level of humility showed the girls that they are one and with one goal of winning every game
Question: Is he magical as a water boy? or Should he return to the dugout as Head Coach?
NILE RAPIDS STYLE OF PLAY
The Nile Rapids, being the young and short girls with big hearts, preferred the direct kick and run game, looking at their fast wingers in Unity Namulala and the powerhouse Pauline Bankabwire. The Nile Rapids were good defenders, using a strong line of low tacklers since they couldn't go for muscle with their big opponents.
The conservative defending usually seen with the Jinja Hippos, the Gents team, is also seen in the girls' DNA. The dual of Unity Namulala and superstar Tina Akello defended their lines perfectly, with the latter using her boot often to clear the lines.
The Nile Rapids were secure with their astute centres and wingers who are adept at both tackling and intercepting passes.
IMPECCABLE TEAM SPIRIT
Nile Rapids is technically a bunch of players with little or no experience. They aren't just Rugby players but friends and classmates which has made them closer all the more. Coach Odakai's friendly shoulder and the management of Hippos Rugby has managed to build a strong team of true friends not forgetting the very vibrant Hippos Fans who support the team through thick and thin.
The love and closeness are always reflected in the liquid and calm style of play, with many sacrificing their attributes of being good finishers in the likes of Unity Namulala to better defenders since they can tackle very well, and this has helped the team to its first National Trophy.
A TALE OF TWO HALVES
Coach Odakai had planned to divide games into two halves, master the gameplay in the first half and beat them using the power of endurance in the second half, and this was seen to deliver results as they were seen to see off the Black Pearls in the semi-finals after trailing 14-26 at the Half time, they went ahead to win this game 27-26 with the little Angels seen to keep the experienced Black Pearls at bay for 40 minutes.
The same trick helped them in the final as they trailed 16-17 at Half time but went on to win 25-17 at the final whistle. The little girls were always seen to run around the experienced teams with the main goal of tiring them up before they struck their last blow, a good plan for underdogs, I guess.
Congratulations, NILE RAPIDS, you have made us smile.....Good luck in the Nile Special Rugby Championship, 2024. The sky is the limit.
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