Saturday Fixtures
- Black Pearls vs. Avengers – 3:00 pm, King’s Park
- Panthers vs. Nile Rapids – 2:00 pm, Legends
- Ewes vs.SheWolves – 2:00 pm, Makerere
In a season where the Black Pearls seem to be in dire straits, they are only 7 points behind the table leaders, Thunderbirds and only 2 points behind their Saturday opponents, the Avengers.
The Black Pearls have won 3 of their 5 games played this season, with a close loss to the Thunderbirds in front of a packed Kyadondo Rugby Grounds, then unfashionably waking up late against the Nile Rapids to reduce the losing deficit.
Despite this erratic run of games, the Pearls have produced two top point scorers in Emilly Lekuru and Charlotte Mudoola.
As a unit, the Black Pearls have left a lot to be desired for a team which was once lauded as the most structured in both the women’s and men’s game.
The Avengers have been ruthless against the Bottom 3 sides; the Ewes, She Wolves and Panthers, but when they met fellow top 4 sides in the Nile Rapids and Thunderbirds, they fell short with a draw and loss, respectively.
Acquiring the services of Uganda international Grace Nabaggala, alongside her Uganda 7s teammate Gertrude Kateesa, was a masterstroke of an investment that has already started paying dividends for the Entebbe side. Nabaggala is currently the top points scorer in the league, while Kateesa isn’t so far behind her with 40 points.
The aforementioned players joined a star-studded side composed of players like Cabrine Kirabo, Maimuna Nassozi and Christine Akello, with a big boost in the form of the return of Peace Lekuru from England. These are only a few players that the Black Pearls will have to contend with on Saturday.
For their part, the Pearls welcomed back Grace Auma from injury and hope the speedster has picked up some form after 3 weeks of training and rest.
With the Thunderbirds out of action due to a bye weekend, the Avengers have the opportunity to go on top of the table should they win with a bonus point at the Kings Park Arena.
The Black Pearls, who are four-time defending champions, must win this game to reduce the deficit on the Thunderbirds and Nile Rapids, with the latter playing a somewhat easy game against the Panthers.
Additionally, the Pearls need this win to mount a proper title defence comeback in the second half of the season.
