Stanbic Black Pirates’ Alema Ruhweza and Alex Aturinda doing what they do best
By Our Reporter
Kings Park Arena was electrified on Saturday as Stanbic Black Pirates Rugby Club delivered a spirited performance to defeat Kenya’s Nondescripts RFC 20–17, securing a historic place in the Enterprise Cup final.
The semi-final clash attracted massive support from Ugandan fans, who turned up in large numbers to rally behind the Pirates. The team remains Uganda’s sole representative in the competition following the earlier elimination of Heathens Rugby Club and Kobs Rugby Club.
There were early nerves as Nondescripts took the lead in a tightly contested first half. However, the Pirates showed resilience and capitalized on home advantage to level the score at 10–10 just before halftime, thanks to a crucial conversion by William Nkore.
The hosts returned for the second half with renewed intensity. A series of tries—driven by standout performances from Conrad Wanyama, Frank Kidega, Desire Ayera, and Alex Aturinda, among others—propelled the Pirates into a commanding lead and ignited the home crowd.
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Stanbic Black Pirates’ Alema Ruhweza and Alex Aturinda doing what they do best
By Our Reporter
Kings Park Arena was electrified on Saturday as Stanbic Black Pirates Rugby Club delivered a spirited performance to defeat Kenya’s Nondescripts RFC 20–17, securing a historic place in the Enterprise Cup final.
The semi-final clash attracted massive support from Ugandan fans, who turned up in large numbers to rally behind the Pirates. The team remains Uganda’s sole representative in the competition following the earlier elimination of Heathens Rugby Club and Kobs Rugby Club.
There were early nerves as Nondescripts took the lead in a tightly contested first half. However, the Pirates showed resilience and capitalized on home advantage to level the score at 10–10 just before halftime, thanks to a crucial conversion by William Nkore.
The hosts returned for the second half with renewed intensity. A series of tries—driven by standout performances from Conrad Wanyama, Frank Kidega, Desire Ayera, and Alex Aturinda, among others—propelled the Pirates into a commanding lead and ignited the home crowd.
A key turning point came through tactical substitutions by head coach Mervin Odongo. The introduction of Haruna Muhammad and Umar Duff proved decisive, as the duo added attacking momentum and helped the team edge ahead.
By the final whistle, the Pirates had sealed a narrow but significant 20–17 victory, confirming their progression to the final of one of the region’s most prestigious rugby tournaments.
The Pirates will now face Kabras Sugar RFC, who booked their place in the final after defeating Menengai Oilers 29–18 in the other semi-final. The final is set to take place in Nairobi.
Speaking after the match, Stanbic Bank Executive Director Sam Mwogeza described the victory as a well-earned milestone reflecting both the club’s determination and the bank’s commitment to growth.
“As a bank committed to fostering Uganda’s growth, seeing clubs like Stanbic Black Pirates rise from mere participation to reaching the finals is something we deeply associate with. It reflects the drive needed to support socio-economic transformation, especially among women, youth, and farmers,” Mwogeza said.
This marks the first time the Black Pirates have reached the Enterprise Cup final, underscoring their steady rise in regional rugby and the significance of the achievement in a competition with a long-standing history.
Coach Mervin Odongo expressed confidence ahead of the decisive clash, emphasizing the team’s readiness to compete at the highest level.
“After this step, we are going for the finals and we are ready for the showdown. We know the team we are facing is strong; they are winners of their national league, but Pirates are not just going to participate. We are going to give our best,” he said.
He added that the team will not only represent the club but also carry the hopes of the entire nation.
