Mbarara will make or break 2024 Nile Special 7s Series title charge (original) (raw)

Mbarara will make or break the 2024 Nile Special 7s Series for those with title-winning ambitions. The current leaders will either leave the land of milk and honey with one hand on the trophy or their challengers will come ever closer to snatching it from right under their noses.

This, the penultimate round, will be played from September 28-28 this weekend at the Ntare School rugby pitch in Kakyeka.

It couldn’t have been set up any juicier than it is in the pools.

The men’s leader Heathens is in Pool A while their closest rival Pirates is in Pool D. The two could meet in the quarterfinals on Day Two if they finish a corresponding first and second in their pools.

Men’s Pools for 2024 Mbarara 7s (invitational team*):

• Pool A: Heathens, Elgon Wolves, Mongers, Mustangs*.
• Pool B: Walukuba, KOBs. Warriors, Buddu Bears*.
• Pool C: Hippos, Rhinos, Impis, Mbarara Titans*.
• Pool D: Buffaloes, Pirates, Rams, Kigezi Silverbacks*.

Women’s Pools for 2024 Mbarara 7s (invitational team*):

• Pool A: Avengers, Black Pearls, Kitgum Queens, Kigezi Queens*.
• Pool B: Thunderbirds, She Wolves, Nile Rapids, Buddu Cuppaz*.

The women’s leader Avengers and their only title rival Black Pearls are, for the first time in this series, in the same pool. While their first meeting of the tournament will not be in the knockout round, both teams will be keen to assert their authority at Kakyeka early. And also, to protect their points difference, should the mathematics come to it.

To make it even spicier, the gaps between teams lower in the overall standings are even smaller. So, every match, in both men’s and women’s competitions, from start to finish will be crucial.

Kawowo Sports will be on the ground at Kakyeka to provide extensive coverage of the 2024 Mbarara 7s tournament.

Ernest Akorebirungi joined Kawowo Sports in July 2019 after one year as a student volunteer at the Makerere University Games Union. He covers rugby for Kawowo Sports; a role in which he offers unique...