24 December 2011
UGANDA : Malinga headed for Rwanda
Warriors are bound to start a rebuilding process with the imminent departure of Eric Malinga.The forward held talks with APR about the possibility of playing for the Rwandese giants next season. Warriors have lost the last two national basketball titles to DMark Power and are currently healing from the pain of the 97-99 defeat last Friday.
Malinga, a four-time champion with Falcons before moving to Warriors at the start of last season, has been part of those losses. “I have spoken to them but it’s not yet conclusive,” he told Saturday Monitor on phone from Kigali yesterday. One of the stumbling blocks in his way now is that the Rwandan League is at the playoffs stage, which will run until January 7. Teams will only review what they need to do after that.
If he pulls it off, it will be the first time Eric plays without his brother Henry, a centre with Warriors. Eric’s move is dependent on securing a job in his profession – accountancy. “The talks have been positive on both fronts – work and basketball,” Eric said before embarking on the return journey.
Brian Gumisiriza, a senior player and team manager at Warriors, has left the door open for arguably the best perimeter shooter here. “His contract is up for renewal. If he doesn’t move to Kigali, we will renew his contract,” Gumisiriza said.
The 2009 champions held a meeting in the aftermath of the nerve-wrecking loss where they threw away a 12-point lead (98-77) with 5.12 minutes to play.
Malinga, a four-time champion with Falcons before moving to Warriors at the start of last season, has been part of those losses. “I have spoken to them but it’s not yet conclusive,” he told Saturday Monitor on phone from Kigali yesterday. One of the stumbling blocks in his way now is that the Rwandan League is at the playoffs stage, which will run until January 7. Teams will only review what they need to do after that.
If he pulls it off, it will be the first time Eric plays without his brother Henry, a centre with Warriors. Eric’s move is dependent on securing a job in his profession – accountancy. “The talks have been positive on both fronts – work and basketball,” Eric said before embarking on the return journey.
Brian Gumisiriza, a senior player and team manager at Warriors, has left the door open for arguably the best perimeter shooter here. “His contract is up for renewal. If he doesn’t move to Kigali, we will renew his contract,” Gumisiriza said.
The 2009 champions held a meeting in the aftermath of the nerve-wrecking loss where they threw away a 12-point lead (98-77) with 5.12 minutes to play.
# posted by afrbk : 14:43
