Basketball in Africa

KCC v UCU (5pm)
Women: Nabisunsa v Sparks (3pm)
Today at YMCA
Miracle 91-94 Power
Ndejje 55-59 KIU
Women: KIU 44-61 KCC

Friday night surely left Nimrod Kaboha in between ecstasy and despair. Kaboha, the KIU coach, could have passed for an expressionless face as his two sides got mixed results in the MTN-Fuba League at YMCA court, Wandegeya.

Women’s champions KCC Leopards beat KIU Rangers 61-44 in the early game before the latter’s men’s side, Titans, offered redemption with a narrow 60-56 victory over struggling Ndejje University Angels.

Even a brilliant defensive performance from Rangers failed to keep MVP Miriam Hamala quiet as she sunk a game-high 21 points to stave off an upset. The rollercoaster of emotions was complete when Abraham Juma scored 18 points against Ndejje prompting the latter’s coach Walker Obedi to make an SOS-like call.

“It may take us more than six games to sort out the way we play. The chemistry is not there yet and players are not playing for each other. May be it’s just a bad season,” Obedi said.

In the late game, Power edged hard-fighting Miracle Eagles 94-91. Man-of-the-match Brian Ssentogo had an inconsequential 25 points. Elsewhere, UCU Canons can start to dream of winning all their first round games when they face relegation-threatened KCC Lions this evening.

Ivan Enabu and his younger brother, Jimmy, supported by the experience of Geoff Omondi and battling qualities of Robert Mugabe have propelled UCU to the heights of three seasons ago.