We head into the Final Circuit of the Nile Special 7s to be hosted by the latest winners of the Mileke Border 7s the Walukuba Barbarians, at the Bugembe Stadium.

The circuit is renowned as Kyabazinga 7s and the Kyabazinga himself and other ministers from the Busoga Kingdom are expected to be in attendance at this grand event.

The Jinja Hippos won the Kyabazinga 7s last year and that put them in a very strong position heading into the Final circuit which was at Kyadondo. They are looking to try to get themselves some trophy this circuit just like they did last year.

Walukuba Barbarians who surprisingly won in Tororo are also looking to win their home circuit and just like the Heathens did at Kyadondo 7s.

A lot of drama and upsets have been seen in this year’s Nile Special 7s, most recently being the Heathens and Black Pirates falling to Walukuba Barbarians who emerged the winners in spectacular fashion in Tororo.

The Tororo Crest also brought a lot of heat during the Mileke Border 7s after they went pound for pound with the Heathens, made easy work of Buffaloes and Rams, and then came back against the Jinja Hippos in the quarter finals.

The Stallions also shocked the Buffaloes in the opening game at the Rujumba 7s while the Thunderbirds lost to Mbale based side, She Wolves at the Mileke Border 7s.

So much has transpired and this tells us that anything can happen in sports. The question that has been perturbing most people is “Could the Pirates and Black Pearls lose their footing?”

The Pirates currently top the standings, eleven points clear of second placed Heathens and thirteen ahead of Kobs.

Mathematically all the three teams still have a chance to win the overall but a lot of things have to fall into place for Heathens and Kobs to have a chance.

Possible outcomes and meaning

If Pirates makes it out of the group stages, the only way they fail to win is if they finish 7th or 8th and Heathens win the overall. Pirates (122) Heathens (123)

If the Pirates don’t make it out of the group stages, the Heathens have a chance if they can win the circuit and if they finish second they can tie if the Pirates finish 9th and win if Pirates finish 10th. Pirates (119) Heathens (120)

If the Pirates finish 11th or 12th, Heathens needs to atleast be in the top 3 to win. Pirates (117) Heathens (118)

If Pirates finish 13th, Heathens needs at worst top 4. Pirates (115) Heathens (116)

If Pirates finish 14th, Heathens will need atleast top 5, to be me level on points. Pirates (114) Heathens (114)

If Pirates finish 15th or 16th, Heathens will need at worst top 6 to be level on points. Pirates (113) Heathens (113)

For Kobs to win, they need to win and Pirates finishes 9th or below. If they finish 2nd, they’d require Pirates to finish at best 11th and Kobs 4th and below in order to be crowned. Pirates (<120) Heathens (<120) Kobs (121)

The Black Pirates are in the same group with 2 invitational sides in Elgon Wolves and Kyambogo and also the Toyota Buffaloes who handed them their first loss of the season. It looks very likely that the Pirates will advance, but sports can mean to be dramatic, so we better watch the space.

The Black Pearls, just like there brothers the Black Pirates, are also in a comfortable lead but it is still mathematically possible for the Avengers to win the overall title.

The Black Pearls lead by six points and it’s possible for them to bottle. However, the Black Pearls have always made it out of the groups and if they do so, it could very much become even more difficult for the Avengers to win the overall.

If the Avengers win the circuit, the Black Pearls would have to finish 4th for the Avengers to take overall. Black Pearls (<139) Avengers (140)

If the Avengers finish 2nd, the Black Pearls will need to finish 5th to level the points. Black Pearls (137) Avengers (137)

The Black Pearls have made the Finals 5 times so far and It is highly unlikely that they will fail to leave the group.

They are in the same pool with the Nile Rapids whom they have defeated all the times they have met this season and the Panthers who finished second in the Central sevens.

The Pearls will however still play without their top guns who are on the National team and will not be playing at Full strength.

If you believe in Miracles or witchcraft, the Kyabazinga 7s is the place to be, because if either Pirates or Black Pearls fail to win, it will certainly be because a higher power.