Kampala, Uganda: The Stanbic Black Pirates Rugby Club were Saturday crowned 2025 Nile Special Uganda Rugby Champions after a thrilling 44–23 extra-time win over Jinja Hippos at the Kings Park Arena in Bweyogerere.
The two sides were level at 23–23 at the end of regular time in a match packed with drama, grit, and late pressure.
Pirates captain Ivan Magomu had a chance to seal the game in regulation but missed a routine conversion after scoring a try, sending the tense final into extra time.
However, the extra 30 minutes were all Pirates.
The Sea Robbers turned on the style with three unanswered tries through Timothy Kisiga, Jones Kamiza, and Haruna Muhammad. Magomu redeemed himself by converting all three to hand Pirates a dominant finish and the title they narrowly missed last season.
The final marked a major milestone for the Pirates, especially as traditional powerhouses Heathens and KOBs were absent from the championship clash for the first time in years.
Earlier in the game, Jinja Hippos capitalized on Pirates’ errors. Muhammad’s failure to clear led to a penalty, which Wasswa converted to bring the game level late in the second half.
Nkore also scored a drop goal before halftime, giving Pirates a 13–07 lead at the break.
Wanyama’s try for Hippos in the second half provided hope, but with Nkore missing the conversion and Pirates regaining their rhythm in extra time, it proved not enough.
The Pirates’ superior fitness, tactical discipline, and lineout organization proved decisive in one of the most memorable finals in recent rugby history.
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