13 September 2013
UGANDA : No respite for Falcons as Oilers offer next test
Oilers’ Nzinza Rurangira (C) and teammates made good use of their hands against Omony in the first round. Photo by Ismail Kezaala.
By Ismail Dhakaba KigongoHow low will Falcons sink? That’s the kind of question that doesn’t require short answers even with the kind of season the record champions are having.
First, it was ‘understandable’ when Falcons had made a bad routine of losing to all teams in the top six after all they all have good rosters and are better organised. Then came the shocking 47-38 loss to lowly Vegetarian. Surely, that should be the bottom of the abyss. It doesn’t get any easier for the six-time league champion.
The losing finalists from last year face third-placed City Oilers who have won 12 of their 16 games thus far, at the Lugogo MTN Arena tonight.
Add the fact that Oilers beat Falcons 75-65 in the first round to announce their title intentions and it’s bound to be a long evening for the latter.
Ramadhan Arou, top scorer with 20 points that night was even bullish. “I think we are still a bit rusty. You can judge us again when we play them in the second round,” Arou vowed.
His influence on offense has gone down since ascoach Mandy Juruni’s options are sewn up in Kami Kabangu, arguably the best player this season, and Jimmy Enabu.
Though this team isn’t the deepest, Juruni has found a way to make it impregnable as they have only lost to UCU Canons (twice), KIU and Power.
Should this be a foregone conclusion with Oilers mauling the seventh-placed Falcons? Not after Falcons have put their house in order again with regular training sessions lately.
Besides, centre Philip Ameny has been playing well especially on the offensive glass as the Kenyan centre has poured 39 points in the last two games.
Point-guard problem
There is another bother though. “I think right now we have a point guard problem,” coach Gad Eteu said after the loss to Power a fortnight ago. With Geoff Omondi refusing to play until his dues are paid, Falcons have had to rely on a lethargic Abdullahi Ramadhan to play over 35 minutes and manage their ball, something that is proving costly.
There is another bother though. “I think right now we have a point guard problem,” coach Gad Eteu said after the loss to Power a fortnight ago. With Geoff Omondi refusing to play until his dues are paid, Falcons have had to rely on a lethargic Abdullahi Ramadhan to play over 35 minutes and manage their ball, something that is proving costly.
Sources tell Daily Monitor the Omondi issue is nearing a solution though Falcons still await Stephen Omony to get back from injury to stem the rot that has seen them lose eight of the 15 games thus far.
ikigongo@ug.nationmedia.com
# posted by afrbk : 09:18
