Pirates Nairobi-bound after win over Nondies

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Enterprise Cup: Pirates 20 Nondies 17

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The Stanbic Black Pirates have advanced to the Enterprise Cup final after securing a hard-fought 20–17 semi-final victory over Kenya’s Nondescripts at Kings Park Arena in Bweyogerere.

The Ugandan league champions will now face Kenya Cup winners Kabras Sugar in a highly anticipated final that pits the region’s top sides against each other.

Pirates opened the scoring through a William Nkore penalty, but Nondies responded with a penalty of their own before crossing for an early try to take a 10–3 lead. Pirates replied with a try from Jeremiah Okello, ensuring the sides went into the break level at 10–10.

The hosts raised their intensity after the restart, with Alex Aturinda powering over for a try early in the second half to give Pirates the advantage.

Conrad Wanyama then extended the lead with another try, pushing the score to 20–10 and giving Pirates some breathing space.

Nondies mounted a late push in the closing stages, but their efforts fell short as they could only narrow the gap to 20–17.

“We have been really working for it. It was one of our goals to get into the final, and now that we have got there, we are proud of ourselves,” said Pirates coach Marvin Odongo.

For Nondies, the defeat offered lessons despite the narrow margin.

“I think the nature of knockout rugby is that you have to take your chances when they come, and we didn’t capitalise, while Pirates took theirs, and that was the difference in the end,” said Nondies coach Francis Ndonga.

Pirates now turn their focus to the final against Kabras, with a chance to crown their campaign with regional silverware.