The Toyota Buffaloes will be hoping that when the curtains come down on the Nile Special Rugby Premiership 2026 season this Saturday, June 27, at the King’s Park arena, in Bweyogerere, it will be them dancing in celebration.
Perhaps, the imagination is that the late Bob Marley song, Buffalos soldier, will be blasting in the background, as they receive the winners’ medals. If that were to play out, no doubt it would inevitably be a surreal moment for Buffaloes, who have never won a league title. But could this be their moment to shine?
For several weeks this year, Buffaloes were atop the table standings until the penultimate round of the regular season. This was a mark of Buffaloes’ consistency; one that was highlighted by their ability to actually test the more established sides.
They beat the Heathens. But before that, a second half salvo saw them fight from a heavy over 10 point deficit against the Black Pirates, to lose by six points, 17-23. For most of the second half, they had Pirates against the ropes.
Had they not started the first half poorly, something that seemed to blight Buffaloes’ performances, then, maybe the outcome could have been different. Buffaloes had been earmarked as a second half team.
They would normally start slow, and then turn it on in the second half. It is something that appears to have continued even in the knock-out playoff stages for them. But this weekend, they surely will need to get out of the blocks fast, otherwise, the defending champions, Pirates is not the kind of team that gives opponents many chances.
As the season has gone by, Pirates, who are chasing a fourth league title, have become a little more ruthless on both ends of the field. Because of their abundant quality, and experience at this level, they have learned how to take care of business.
Therefore, if they take a sizeable lead, recovering to seize back control is not easy. They showed that several times against more formidable teams from Kenya, during the Enterprise Cup. Based on that, for the Buffaloes, focus is of the essence, and that is something they have built in recent times.
Back then, the Buffaloes used to be Heathens’ feeder club. For, every top youthful player that they produced, say, the likes of Pius Ogena, ended up at Heathens; and they were many.
On a few occasions, those products would end up heading elsewhere, depending on whose bid was highest. Yet, that has changed of late. Buffaloes have now stopped being a mere conveyor belt for other teams domestically.
For the last five years, their ambitions have changed to also aiming to be at the same level as Heathens, Kobs and Pirates. While they have still lost some real stars to irresistible offers, they are also intentional on keeping their players happy.
It is against that background, that they have gone on to sign players from other teams, that have significantly made them better. A case in point, they acquired the services of Yasin Waiswa from the Jinja Hippos, who made the final last year.
The addition of players like Moses Olweny from the Pirates and Kennedy Muhumuza from Impis, has undoubtedly made them a force to reckon with. Pirates’ Frank Kidega said in regards to the Buffaloes threat that they have to be locked in to get over the line in the final.
Kidega, who has been one of Pirates’ best performers this season noted that while it was satisfying to get over the line against the Heathens in the semi-finals, he felt that Buffaloes will be a tough opponent, considering how well they have played this season.
Besides, Buffaloes have had the extra week of rest, which should make them fresher, heading into the final this weekend. For Pirates, on the other hand, they have a chance to win back- to-back championships for the first time in their history, too!
nsimbe.jv@gmail.com