What went wrong for the Kobs?

 After some heavy recruitment at the start of the season, it really looked like the Betway Kobs who have performed excellently all season were onto something until the Stanbic Black Pirates visited their old neighbourhood.

 

 

Not for the first time this season have the Kobs looked jaded and out of it for big spells in the match and unlike what happened against the Plascon Mongers, they paid dearly.

 

On Friday, they succumbed to a curious tale of two halves, where they delivered their worst first-half performance of the season going into the break with a 27-0 deficit.

 

Tactical changes in the second half saw Pius Ogena, Allan Musoke, and Adnan Mutebi come in exposed Fred Mudoola's poor tactics to start with.

 

If he had elected to use the dynamic Pius Ogena from the start and Adrian Kasito at scrum-half then maybe it could have made the difference.

 

 

Ever since they took charge of the Nile Special Rugby Premier League following their win over the Heathens a few weeks ago, it always felt like the Betway Kobs' chances depended on their game management.

 

Unfortunately for them, their biggest huddle was a Black Pirates team that had a point to prove and a bone to pick after losing narrowly to the Kobs and Heathens at the start of the season. The fact that they underestimated the Pirates only added to the intrigue.

 Female referee Saudha Adhiru takes charge of the Kobs vs Pirates game. Pirates won 30-14. PHOTO: Johnson Were

 Poor preparation

 

The Kobs came into this match probably at their worst in terms of fitness. The ease with which Edgar Pajob and Didi Ruhweza pushed a Kobs side that had Collins Kimbowa, Robert Aziku, and Ronald Musajjagulanyago was embarrassing. The lack of fight from the hosts was really highlighted by the fitness levels and tenacity from their opponents.

 

 

The handling errors that littered the match on their part were as school boy as they come. Ian Munyani had a significant chance to score a try earlier on in the match and he knocked on. James Ijongat too had a knock on that gave Pirates territory and so did Justin Kimono but the latter's handling error was the worst of the lot as it was pounced on by the Pirates for an easy try.

 

At the end of the day, it doesn't beggar belief that the Kobs bungled it up, it was simply a case of their problems catching up with them at the most inopportune time of the season.