Heathens brace for tough semi-final clash against Pirates

Nile Special Rugby Premiership

Fixtures

Today

Heathens v Pirates 4pm

Tomorrow

KOBs v Hippos 4pm

Heathens will need to dig deep into their mental reserves as they prepare to face Pirates in Friday's Nile Special Rugby Premiership semi-final showdown at Kyadondo.

The match promises to be a true test of resilience, with both sides fighting for survival in the knockout encounter.

Pirates enter the contest with a star-studded lineup featuring captain Frank Kidega, Timothy Kisiga, Desire Ayera, Eliphaz Emong, Jeremiah Okello, and playmaker Ivan Magomu. The squad is determined to avenge last season's championship loss to Heathens.

"We're fully prepared for this challenge. At this stage of the season, it's all or nothing," declared Pirates skipper Kidega.

Heathens, who endured a turbulent regular season, have shown recent improvement after overcoming a mid-season slump that saw them lose three consecutive matches. Veteran player Michael Wokorach revealed the team has addressed their mental hurdles and regained momentum.

"We started strong but hit a rough patch. However, we've bounced back undefeated since then," Wokorach stated. "We've worked hard on our mental game and will give our best performance, especially with home advantage and fan support behind us."

The semi-final presents Heathens with an opportunity to prove their championship pedigree against a Pirates side hungry for redemption. With both teams promising to leave everything on the pitch, Friday's encounter is set to be a physical and tactical battle where only the most determined will prevail.