Stanbic Black Pirates have arrived in Nairobi ahead of Saturday’s Enterprise Cup final against Kabras Rugby at RFUEA Grounds, Ngong Road, carrying Ugandan hopes into one of the biggest fixtures in the East African club rugby calendar.
The Uganda side booked their place in the final with a gutsy knockout run, edging KCB Rugby 11-10 in the quarter-finals before overcoming Nondescripts RFC 20-17 in the semi-finals. Those victories made Pirates the first Ugandan club in more than 50 years to reach the Enterprise Cup final. Heathens, Kobs and Buffaloes were all eliminated earlier, leaving Pirates as Uganda’s last remaining team in the competition.
Kabras enter the final as defending champions and unbeaten in the Enterprise Cup since 2019. The Kakamega-based side have long been one of the region’s benchmark clubs, and their wins over Heathens RFC and Menengai Oilers confirmed once again why they are regarded as the team to beat. For Kabras, it’s a chance to extend their dominance and keep the trophy in Kenya for another year.
For Pirates, the prize is history. Victory would end a 50-year wait for a Ugandan club in the final and bring the trophy back across the border for the first time since Ugandan clubs stepped away in 1999. Head coach Marvin Odongo said: “This final is bigger than the Pirates badge. We are representing Ugandan rugby and an entire country that believes in what this team has achieved.”
Captain Isaac Massanganzira leads a 26-man squad that includes vice-captains Frank Kidega, Alex Aturinda and Conrad Wanyama. The full squad also features Alema Ruhweza, Ivan Kabagambe, Ariho Muhumuza, Umar Duff, Samuel Lubwama, Nathan Bwambale, Sunday Jaguar, Eliphaz Emong, John Paul Atim, Moses Zziwa, Sydney Gongodyo, Humphrey Tashobya, Mubarak Wandera, Stephen Alul, William Nkore, Eric Mula, Davis Shimwa, Allan Karuhanga, Jeremiah Okello, Pius Ojeabulu, Timothy Kisiga and Haruna Muhammad.
The Enterprise Cup is East Africa’s oldest club rugby competition, dating back to 1930, and a Pirates win would mark a major moment for Ugandan rugby.
The final kicks off at 3:00 PM EAT on Saturday, May 30, at RFUEA Grounds. Entry is priced at KES 500 for regular and KES 1,000 for VIP.
Follow the official Uganda Rugby, social media accounts to keep up with all information from the games including fixtures, results, and statistical information. Uganda Rugby is also available via WhatsApp Channel, simply tap the icon below to follow.
