Quaresma points to off-field troubles after Hippos crumble at home

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Jinja Hippos head coach Edmond Quaresma has blamed ongoing administrative wrangles at the club for his side’s heavy home defeat to Toyota Buffaloes, saying the instability has disrupted team cohesion and performance.

Toyota Buffaloes handed Jinja Hippos a bruising 40–17 home defeat in a Nile Special Rugby Premier League encounter played at Dam Waters Playground on Saturday, deepening the hosts’ troubled start to the season and marking Hippos’ heaviest home loss since 2022, when they fell 34–18 to Heathens.

“The recent administrative wrangles at the club have derailed the quality and stability of my team. We lost many of our stars during the transfer period, and we recently recruited a host of young players who haven't gelled,” Quaresma said after the match.

“Today I was trying to watch a few patterns from the new 13 players who featured today, but hopefully after two to three matches, I will have a good team ready to win big matches,” he added.

Jinja Hippos battle Toyota Buffaloes during Saturday’s encounter at Dam Waters playground. (Courtesy Photo)

Former Hippos captain Yassin Wasswa returned to haunt his old club with a man-of-the-match performance, converting three penalties and three conversions to steer Buffaloes to victory.

Tries from Farouk Tukei, who crossed twice, Moses Fatti and Ronald Ogwang, also with two tries, together with three penalties and two conversions, secured Buffaloes their first away victory against Hippos since 2019.

Hippos’ points came through tries by Felix Oyet and Brian Luseke, complemented by two conversions and a penalty from veteran captain Maxwell Ebonga, who recently came out of retirement.

The defeat highlighted the impact of player departures at the club, including long-serving prop and former captain David Waako to Heathens, as well as the exits of wingers Owen Mugogo and Wasswa to Buffaloes.

Those losses have left gaps that the technical bench has attempted to fill by recruiting younger players from emerging clubs in the region.

Hippos had suffered only one home defeat last season, a narrow 24–22 loss to Kobs.

Elsewhere, Pirates edged Kobs 26–24, Impis overpowered Warriors 44–15, Heathens defeated newcomers Kakira 34–13, Mongers beat Walukuba Barbarian 28–27 in Jinja, while Victoria Sharks saw off Rhinos 29–10.