Heathens Athiyo goes for record

The Platinum Heathens have their sights on a record-extending seventeenth Nile Special Rugby Premier League title this Saturday, June 1.

They face the defending champions, the Stanbic Black Pirates, who are two-time champions at the legendary Kyadondo rugby grounds. Heathens go into this clash having the home advantage. But even more so, the psychological advantage, having beaten Pirates 16-12 in the opening fixture of the regular season on this same ground.

On the other hand, Pirates won at Kyadondo last year on their way to the 2023 league title. However, the one subplot that is probably the farthest from people’s minds, yet quite intriguing, is the fact that Muhammad Athiyo is going for a record fifth title as head coach of Heathens.

It is quite interesting how time flies. Athiyo has been in charge of Heathens since 2016, following the club’s decision to let go of the late Robert Seguya. Seguya had led Heathens to the 2015 championship. But then in 2016, when Kobs dislodged him, there was some upheaval that erupted between the late Seguya, Heathens management and the players, then.

So, Athiyo, who had become a peripheral player at the time, was picked in what appeared to be in temporary charge. Yet, it is now eight years down the road, and one who had been considered the proverbial John the Baptist, who announces the coming of the Messiah, literally became the mainstay.

“To be honest, I never thought I would be in charge of Heathens as coach this long. By the time I was transited into this role as a coach, I still felt like a player. I still wanted to play. You know rugby can be addictive,” Athiyo said with a hearty laugh.

In addition, Athiyo never imagined that he would lead the team to a championship no sooner had he been appointed in 2017. Meanwhile, during that time, rumours kept swirling that Athiyo would be replaced. At best, someone more experienced would be appointed, and instead be kept as an assistant.

Nothing could have been further from the truth. Athiyo went on to guide Heathens to the 2019, 2020, and 2022 league titles. Therein must lie a trick, especially when one considers the fact that Athiyo was not that highly qualified.

He is now a level-two coach pursuing level three, but he said: “It is about the support system at Heathens that I have around me. But also, when you trust and give confidence to the players, they work for the cause. As a coach, I can instruct them, but they are the ones on the field to effect the plan.”

Others noted that it is in that persona, that he has a good relationship with players to fight for him, even though his critics think he is soft, which gives players much control over him. Former Heathens coach, Brian Tabaruka won five championships from 2009 to 2013, which is a record.

Such is what Athiyo wants to emulate. But he is not oblivious of the threat that Pirates poses. Athiyo considers them favourites especially because they have their national sevens stars back. But the fact that Heathens go into this weekend with just one loss, a draw and 13 wins in the league, Pirates’ four losses and 11 wins show who the better team is.