06 April 2012
UGANDA : Team by team guide to new basketball season
Ahead of the 2012 basketball season that rolls off this evening, Felix Eupal analyses the potential of each of the twelve teams in the men's topflight division, of which eight will make the playoffs.
Dmark Power: The champions open the defence of their crown against UCU Canons but things don't look rosy. They lost Boniface Okello to the Canons and are yet to tie up senior players, a factor that has brought friction in the squad. Jimmy Enabu is courted by Mountain Dew Falcons while skipper Isaac Afridra has not yet committed.
On the other hand, Power has bolstered their squad with Derrick Katumba from Heaters, Paul Mwaka from Ndejje and Collins Mukiza from Miracle Eagles. Barnes Ankunda, the coach, is confident they will go all the way: "Everything will work out, and we are going to make history and defend the title.î"
Kyambogo Warriors: After last season's nail-biting loss to Power, the Kyambogo side have left nothing to chance. They have acquired the services of three-time MVP Norman Blick and his brother Donald Blick as well as Brian Ssentongo. With Eric Malinga assuring the club of his services this season despite links to Rwandan side APR, Warriors have the most formidable squad. That's why Manday Juruni, the coach, should not have any excuse.
Kyambogo Warriors: After last season's nail-biting loss to Power, the Kyambogo side have left nothing to chance. They have acquired the services of three-time MVP Norman Blick and his brother Donald Blick as well as Brian Ssentongo. With Eric Malinga assuring the club of his services this season despite links to Rwandan side APR, Warriors have the most formidable squad. That's why Manday Juruni, the coach, should not have any excuse.
Miracle: The Rubaga-based side made the playoffs for the first time last season but going by the current look of things, they will need divine intervention to survive relegation. This follows a mass player exodus that includes the Blick brothers, Edward Kateregga, Douglas Uwizera, Albert Aciko, Mukisa, Ssentongo, Yahaya Kalyesubula and Francis Tumusiime. Clearly, Stephen Omony will need a miracle to carry all the baggage alongside a bunch of young inexperienced players just fresh from high school.
"I'm waiting on management to show me what they have and that is what I will work with," says Joe Burua, the coach.
UCU Canons: Last season, the University side made history when they reached the playoffs having played an entire season with just nine players. They even stretched Warriors to five games in the best-of-five series. However, Jake Whetstone's departure [he went back to the US] and skipper Jeff Omondi is a huge blow. To fill that void, they got Brian Mamake from Kenya's Coop Bank, Innocent Odhour from KPA, Kalyesubula, and Okello.
"We are used to losing players but the players I have can handle the pressure and the opening game will show how far we can go," says Nick Natuhereza, the coach.
Mountain Dew Falcons: For the first time in their history, Falcons missed the playoffs last season but this time round, club supremo Dennis Mbidde shouldn't be worried, despite losing star player Richard Omondi. Prodigal son Francis Tumusiime is back and coupled with the acqusition of Jeff Omondi, Kateregga, Uwizera and the towering Sam Gombya, they are a good bet to go all the way. Mbidde has also brought on former player Tony Oluka as the new coach.
Ndejje Angels: After finishing sixth last season, the Angels have set a target to finish third. However, it's more of wishful thinking for Walker Obedi, the coach, after losing star point guard Cyrus Kiviri, Mwaka and Donald Ssali. Jonathan Otim from MBC Rocks is the only significant buy.
Ndejje Angels: After finishing sixth last season, the Angels have set a target to finish third. However, it's more of wishful thinking for Walker Obedi, the coach, after losing star point guard Cyrus Kiviri, Mwaka and Donald Ssali. Jonathan Otim from MBC Rocks is the only significant buy.
"Our fans don't need to worry - we are going to have a good season," Obedi says.
KIU Titans: In the past two seasons, the Titans struggled in the first round because the league fixtures coincided with the students' holidays. However, having Omondi is not the only thing bringing a smile to coach Nimrod Kaboha's face.
KIU Titans: In the past two seasons, the Titans struggled in the first round because the league fixtures coincided with the students' holidays. However, having Omondi is not the only thing bringing a smile to coach Nimrod Kaboha's face.
"I have had issues with consistency but this season I have a squad of 15 players that will be around all season."
Nkumba Marines: Having dominated the game in the mid 2000s - winning the 2005 and 2006 titles - Marines have struggled since. Indeed, coach Timothy Odeke has avoided the temptation of talking big:
Nkumba Marines: Having dominated the game in the mid 2000s - winning the 2005 and 2006 titles - Marines have struggled since. Indeed, coach Timothy Odeke has avoided the temptation of talking big:
"We are still in a building process and it would be unrealistic to dream of winning a championship this season," he says.
Nonetheless, the team signed the Kenyan trio of Brian Sivachi, Emmanuel Nyabuto and Cyprus Matata to improve their fortunes.
Heaters: They would have been relegated if it wasn't for Fuba's expansion of the topflight to twelve teams. That's why their main goal will be to avoid the drop and Denis Osikol, the club boss, has held onto all his former players and also added Aciko, Okot and former Coop Bank skipper Brian Busu. This is a team with potential to make several upsets and a playoff berth is not a long shot.
Vegetarians: After eight years of waiting, the Luzira-based side will feature in the topflight but right from the get go, this will be a learning process.
Heaters: They would have been relegated if it wasn't for Fuba's expansion of the topflight to twelve teams. That's why their main goal will be to avoid the drop and Denis Osikol, the club boss, has held onto all his former players and also added Aciko, Okot and former Coop Bank skipper Brian Busu. This is a team with potential to make several upsets and a playoff berth is not a long shot.
Vegetarians: After eight years of waiting, the Luzira-based side will feature in the topflight but right from the get go, this will be a learning process.
"We don't have too much expectation but we have belief in our selves," David Jurua, the club skipper, says.
To keep up that expectation, they signed Abel Emudu from Livingstone and youngster Mark Ongomu fresh from high school.
Giant Stormers: They had a terrific season last year but that was in the Second Division. However, they have already started showing signs of distress and it will come as no surprise when they turn out to be the league's whipping boys.
Giant Stormers: They had a terrific season last year but that was in the Second Division. However, they have already started showing signs of distress and it will come as no surprise when they turn out to be the league's whipping boys.
"There is not much to believe in and we have not yet confirmed many of our new signings," says John Omondi, the club coach. So far they have only signed Rogers Serunyingo.
Rez Life: They punched above their weight to make the topflight. So far, they have no new players but are content they will survive with that.
Rez Life: They punched above their weight to make the topflight. So far, they have no new players but are content they will survive with that.
"Players are expensive these days; so, we are sticking together and will just go with what we have and hope to make the playoffs," says Andrew Muhise, the club skipper.
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