09 February 2011
UGANDA : Uganda up against favourites Rwanda in Zone 5 show
By Charles Mutebi in Kigali
IT wasn’t fear but raw admiration that swept across the faces of Ugandan players as they watched their Rwandese counterparts put on basketball clinics at the Amahoro Stadium on Monday.
Today, the Ugandan men must somehow convert that adoration into competitive fire when they take on the overwhelming favourites of Zone Five All Africa Nations Qualifiers.
Rwanda’s men and women teams underlined their superiority with blowouts of 30 plus against Burundi and Ethiopia respectively –– a needless reminder to the rest of the tournament that they occupy a higher planet.
Uganda know they will need something special to bridge the gap and avoid what looks like an inevitable humiliation.
Mercifully, in Steven Omony the Uganda men’s team have a captain with the defiance of a mule.
He watched Rwanda’s 98-60 demolition of Burundi but wasn’t prepared to roll over and wave the white flag.
“There is nothing special about Rwanda,” said Omony. “All they have is good organization and just that ability to do the small things well.”
Rwanda totally outclassed Uganda in the same tournament two years ago and all known logic points to another Rwanda victory. The question is just how big.
The little bit of good news for Uganda is Rwanda’s seven-footer Robert Thompson is battling with illness and can only be half-ready today.
Furthermore, Uganda forward Eric Malinga joined up with the team Tuesday morning and played some part in Uganda’s late encounter with Burundi.
The Ugandan women battle Kenya in a match that should be a stern test of their resolve and quest for a top two finish alive.
Uganda’s women lost to a very beatable Burundi on Monday and will need to significantly up their levels to have a whiff of a chance to beat Kenya.
Uganda’s women return to action after defeating Ethiopia 78-53 last evening.
The team will looking to step up gear against the Kenyans today.
IT wasn’t fear but raw admiration that swept across the faces of Ugandan players as they watched their Rwandese counterparts put on basketball clinics at the Amahoro Stadium on Monday.
Today, the Ugandan men must somehow convert that adoration into competitive fire when they take on the overwhelming favourites of Zone Five All Africa Nations Qualifiers.
Rwanda’s men and women teams underlined their superiority with blowouts of 30 plus against Burundi and Ethiopia respectively –– a needless reminder to the rest of the tournament that they occupy a higher planet.
Uganda know they will need something special to bridge the gap and avoid what looks like an inevitable humiliation.
Mercifully, in Steven Omony the Uganda men’s team have a captain with the defiance of a mule.
He watched Rwanda’s 98-60 demolition of Burundi but wasn’t prepared to roll over and wave the white flag.
“There is nothing special about Rwanda,” said Omony. “All they have is good organization and just that ability to do the small things well.”
Rwanda totally outclassed Uganda in the same tournament two years ago and all known logic points to another Rwanda victory. The question is just how big.
The little bit of good news for Uganda is Rwanda’s seven-footer Robert Thompson is battling with illness and can only be half-ready today.
Furthermore, Uganda forward Eric Malinga joined up with the team Tuesday morning and played some part in Uganda’s late encounter with Burundi.
The Ugandan women battle Kenya in a match that should be a stern test of their resolve and quest for a top two finish alive.
Uganda’s women lost to a very beatable Burundi on Monday and will need to significantly up their levels to have a whiff of a chance to beat Kenya.
Uganda’s women return to action after defeating Ethiopia 78-53 last evening.
The team will looking to step up gear against the Kenyans today.
# posted by afrbk : 19:16
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I have been watching regional basketball tournaments in Rwanda for the last 3 years or so but i think that whereas Rwanda has always taken advantage of hosting the tournaments by securing so many wins over other East African teams, the Rwanda team itself is predominantly composed of foreigners whom the Rwanda government pays huge sums of money to travel from abroad to come to make up the best basketball Rwandan team.
As a big fun of basketball since my school days in Kenya, I strongly believe the Kenyan and Ugandan teams are better than the genuine Rwandan team. I don't think it's fair to have Congolese and other nationals living in the US and Canada play for Rwanda all the time while other East African countries groom their home grown players.
As a big fun of basketball since my school days in Kenya, I strongly believe the Kenyan and Ugandan teams are better than the genuine Rwandan team. I don't think it's fair to have Congolese and other nationals living in the US and Canada play for Rwanda all the time while other East African countries groom their home grown players.
# posted by 
: 13/2/11 20:00
: 13/2/11 20:00
@ Anonymous, That's very true. Rwanda doesn't seem to have any sport talent at all. Their national soccer team and other sports teams are comprised of imported Congolese or Ugandans.
I do agree that the Rwandan President pays hard cash to make sure his country shines in sports but the wins that his teams encounter are unrealistic. Congolese took Rwanda to the 2004 CAN. I think it's high time for the struggling nation to consider grooming it's own men lest home sport can't develop.
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I do agree that the Rwandan President pays hard cash to make sure his country shines in sports but the wins that his teams encounter are unrealistic. Congolese took Rwanda to the 2004 CAN. I think it's high time for the struggling nation to consider grooming it's own men lest home sport can't develop.
# posted by : 13/2/11 20:15
: 13/2/11 20:15<< Home
