Basketball in Africa

Tomorrow at Lugogo
Power v Warriors (8pm)
Women:
KCC v A1 (6pm)

No team in the MTN-Fuba League would want to be in a situation where you have to be compared to A1 Challenge. The women’s team holds the unenviable statistic of being losing finalists in each of the last three finals.

Perhaps, the best part is that their consistency is unmatched following their 3-2 series victory over champions KCC Leopards last Friday to earn a shot at setting the record straight.

And knowing the task awaiting them tomorrow at the MTN Arena Lugogo, Hamza Nyambogo, A1’s coach hardly spared anytime in issuing a rallying cry for the best-of-seven final series clash with UCU Lady Canons.

New strategy
“The hard work starts now,” Nyambogo told his players. The message quickly sunk in quite fast and Carol Mugasha picked it wholesomely as they eye revenge for the finals’ loss to UCU two years ago.

“In the past, fatigue affected us whenever we got this far. It’s important we listen to the coach, work hard and act strong,” Mugasha, who also acts as A1’s publicist, told Daily Monitor yesterday.

The two finalists shared the regular season games but the return to fitness of Liz Bazira and Olivia Mulwana following lengthy maternity leaves has helped spread A1 Challenge’s options.

“Players need to believe in each other and execute their roles which everyone has understood. People will be talking about revenge but I think there is a lot more,” Mugasha added in making reference to the 2008 defeat.

A1’s chances could greatly hinge on how well they manage to slow coach Mandy Juruni’s team down in addition to keeping sensational utility player Lorraine Akinyi quiet.
UCU needed only four games to dispatch KIU Rangers in the semis 3-1 unlike A1 who went the entire distance.

“For many, there is an advantage in coming through a tougher semifinal only that at this stage, such things don’t matter,” she quipped. In the late game, DMark Power, just like A1, will seek revenge against Kyambogo Warriors for the loss in last year’s final. Power eliminated Falcons in the semis.