The Black Pirates are officially the champions of the 2023 Nile Special 7s and they did so in spectacular fashion, after defeating title rivals the Heathens in the quarter finals of the Kyabazinga 7s which they also eventually won. 

A lot has been said about what made this team so successful, we take a deep dive into their performances in the season and why I think they managed to emerge victorious. 

Consistence 
Just like the Jinja Hippos in 2022, the Black Pirates were very much consistent throughout the seven circuits. The pirates reached the finals five times, winning three and they finished in the top four six times, only falling short in Tooro after losing to Kobs in the Quarter finals.

Good start
The pirates started off strongly winning the first two circuits in Jinja and kitgum. This meant that they created some gap between them and their competitors and for them to win the overall, they just had to consistently finish among the top 4 teams every circuit.
Preparation

Preparation is the most important recipe for success and the Pirates seemed to have been prepared for any eventualities. Just as in the past, pirates have been one of the most affected teams with the National team call up. This time round however, they had a plan. It is evident that they had players who had been in the system and it was as if a plug and play. When the national team players left, they still had a formidable squad and as seen, they reached the finals on all the 3 remaining circuits.

Luck 

Luck normally strikes those who are in a strategic position and it was no different with the pirates. When the National team call up was made, their most fierce rivals, Kobs were the most affected losing their entire starting seven players. The kobs were weakened very much and never made it past the quarter finals their after. They lost to the pirates in the quarter finals both art kyadondo and Tororo. The stay of Timothy kisiga was also a blessing in disguise. Even though he will be missed by the RUGBY Cranes in Harare, the Pirates benefitted greatly from his presence as he brought leadership on and off the pitch and was arguably the MVP of the sevens.

Ability to step up

The black Pirates had so many players and put in strong performances. Special praise goes to kamiza jones who came into the circuit a lowly person but has left as a prominent youngster. Haruna Muhammed is another that needs no introduction and is surely in the team of the tournament. Stephen Alul, woooo, man was doing his thing with so much passion and on a consistent basis. 

Sydney Gongodyo is another player that has made his mark in the 7s. Considered by many to be the MVP in the 15s, he replicated the same performances in the 7s, leaving a train wrecks wherever he passed.