Basketball in Africa

BY Ismail Dhakaba Kigongo
Kampala

Tomorrow at YMCA
Women: Leopards v A-1 (6pm)
Men: Power v Warriors (8pm)

Opportunities of winning a second MTN-Fuba Basketball League title have never stopped coming A-1 Challenge’s way.

However, the 2005 women champions have failed to take their chances – finishing runners-up in each of the last two seasons.

But chances won’t stop coming as A-1 Challenge will get another shot at the title when they clash with KCC Leopards tomorrow at the YMCA courts, Wandegeya in game one of the best-of-seven final series.

“Our team has stayed together longer than all the other teams in the league. Losing has made us better players and we have done our homework this time round,” A-1’s Mavita Ali told Daily Monitor.
A-1 overcame last year’s champions UCU Lady Canons 3-0 in the best-of-five semifinals, a feat that KCC also managed against KIU Rangers.

“I think we came through a tougher series than they (KCC) did which might just give us the edge mentally,” Mavita said.
However, coach Hamza Nyambongo A-1 will be wary of a KCC side, champions in 2007, that are boosted by the return of reigning Most Valuable Player (MVP) Flavia Oketcho. Oketcho arrived in the country last night from the UK.
“Oketcho brings a lot to the table in terms experience, leadership, work ethic and influence on the entire team,” Timothy Odeke, the KCC coach, said in eulogising the former Lady Bucks and UCU guard.

“We have all the depth, talent and experience we might need. The only edge they (A-1) have over us is youthfulness and energy but we will prevail from a series that will surely be interesting,” Odeke added.