SportPesa Vows More Support for Rugby Talent

By Mbungu Harrison

Email, thecoastnewspaper@gmail.com

SportPesa has pledged to keep bankrolling rugby development even after Uganda Legends stunned Kenya Legends 16-15 to win their first SportPesa Legends Cup in a tense exhibition match at Mombasa Sports Club on Saturday, June 6, 2026.

Speaking after the match, SportPesa head of marketing Esther Kang’ethe said the gaming firm remained committed to growing the game across the region and giving former stars a platform to inspire the next generation.

“The return leg on 4th of July we will be in Uganda. So, the boys should prepare for it,” she said.

“It’s really about sport development. The big picture is to continue supporting talents,” she added confirming that the SportPesa National Sevens Circuit will start soon.

The marketer urged fans to keep turning out in large numbers to support players and make the sport more fun.

In a match, filled with drama under the coastal heat, Uganda Legends ended a six-match winless streak against Kenya Legends after edging their rivals 16-15 in a single exhibition match to clinch their first-ever SportPesa Legends Cup at Mombasa Sports Club.

Since its inception in 2023, the tournament, sponsored by leading gaming firm, has brought together former rugby greats from both sides of the border allowing them to relive their glory days while celebrating the sport they helped build.

In the previous six encounters, it had been a one-sided affair with Kenya Legends dominating the fixture. They won the first three editions consecutively and held the upper hand on aggregate.

However, the 2026 encounter, played as a one-off match away from Nairobi, finally saw Uganda emerge victorious.

Under the coastal weather conditions, the Uganda legends struck first through a penalty kick just a few minutes before the half-hour mark when Ivan Kirabo managed to slot the ball between the uprights to hand his side a 3-0 lead.

However, the Kenya Legends fought back with a slick try of their own with Oliver Mang’eni creating space on the left before linking up with Lavin Asego who sent Darwin Mukidza over for the opening try.

Mukidza missed the conversion, but Kenya still edged ahead 5-3, a scoreline they carried into halftime.

The second half saw the coastal weather favour the visitors as they quickly regained the lead with a moment of brilliance from Michael Wokorach.

Scrum-half Kirabo initiated the move from a ruck, and Wokorach gathered possession from the kicked ball before surging past several defenders to score.

Kirabo added the extras to extend Uganda’s advantage to 10-5 before later slotting another penalty to stretch the lead to 13-5.

Just as Uganda appeared to be gaining momentum, the contest swung in host’s favour after Uganda were reduced to 14 men.

Kenya capitalised on the numerical advantage with Tony Owuor crossing the whitewash. Mukidza converted successfully to narrow the gap to a single point at 13-12.

With just three minutes remaining, Mukidza looked to have completed the comeback when he calmly slotted a penalty to give Kenya a 15-13 lead.

Uganda, however, had the last say. Ivan Kirabo nailed a late penalty to seal a 16-15 victory sparking wild celebrations from the visitors and handing Uganda their maiden Legends Cup title.

The result sets up an eagerly awaited return leg in Uganda on July 4, 2026 with Kenya Legends now chasing revenge.