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Pirates aiming to turn Kings Park into fortress
What you need to know:
- Rugby. Creating a fear factor at home is one trait of championship teams and Pirates will want to live up to the mantra.
KAMPALA. Stanbic Pirates’ last two years have been such an adventure for them. Breaking shackles to enrich their status with a four trophies in a season during which they swept everything.
New home
At the same time, they also managed to move to their new home in December at Kings Park Stadium, Kakajo - Bweyogerere after sharing a home with other clubs for more than half of their existence.
They have played four Nile Special Rugby Premiership home games, a 13-3 defeat to Hima Heathens at Legends and three at Kings ParK with Plascon Mongers, Betway Kobs and Walukuba as opponents. Since their 21-14 loss to Kobs, it’s been a stroll and they would like to keep the run when Shell Rimula Rhinos visit today. “We thank God for Pirates moving to a new home ground,” coach Bobby Musinguzi told SCORE sometime back.
Creating a fear factor at home is one trait of championship teams and the champions know they need to be ruthless at home.
“We are not yet there but we are definitely heading there,” said captain Ivan Magomu on transforming Kings Park into a feared venue.
“We train from there and we are getting used to it, we are now working hard to win all our games, not only at home but even when playing away,” he added. The Sea Robbers lie third on the log with 38 points.
Beating Pirates
Rhinos are on the back of two losses, sitting seventh on the log with 14 points. They are also the only side to beat Pirates in the latter’s championship winning campaign in a bizarre 3-0 win.
At Legends, Dusupay Warriors host Mongers hoping to complete a double over them. Leaders Heathens visit Hippos, second-placed Kobs, head to Walukuba with both the top two, separated by a point at 46 and 45, favourites to win. Rams will hope to steer away from the relegation zone when they host Buffaloes.
Today
Warriors vs. Mongers 4.30pm, Legends
Walukuba vs. Kobs 4.30pm, Walukuba
Pirates vs. Rhinos 4.30pm, Bweyogerere
Rams vs. Buffaloes 4.30pm, Makerere
Hippos vs. Heathens 4.30pm, Jinja
