Basketball in Africa

The guard was unveiled by Power in the off-season but later decided to return to Warriors.

The squad assembled at Kati Kati Restaurant in Lugogo included new recruits Ivan Enabu (Warriors), Abdullahi ‘Dulah’ Ramadhan (Falcons), Francis Odom (Rez Life), Moses Olobo (free agent) and centre Philip Ameny (Falcons).

Few weeks after the unveiling, Enabu reportedly declared he wanted to return to Warriors, the team that gave him his only league ring in 2012. Power were furious. One of Uganda’s most entertaining guards, Enabu is now sidelined because of the stand-off between the two clubs.

“The ball is in his (Enabu) court. Once he puts himself together, this issue will be history,” said Power official Philip Kyomuhendo.“The Enabu issue is something we are not ready to reveal to anyone until it’s fully settled,” he added.

There is talk in the basketball fraternity that Enabu decided to switch the moment Warriors re-appointed Gad Eteu as coach in pre-season. Enabu denies Gad’s return fueled his desire to join Power. “Gad and I are cool. He is not the reason I decided to move,” Enabu said. “My decision then was based on the urge to change environment, but the decision to come back to Warriors is purely personal.”

The increased competition for playing time at Power could have informed Enabu’s change of mind, some have suggested. But the 2005 Africa Zone 5 MVP has dismissed that school of thought as well.

“I can be really competitive when I decide to be so competition is the least of my worries,” he reasoned. Warriors, clearly looking weaker without Enabu have persistently refused to divulge details about the transfer saga. “Am not obliged to talk about the matter, our CEO Ivan (Ntabazi) should be able to,” Warriors president Ambrose Tashobya said. Ntabazi couldn’t be reached as he failed to pick or return our calls.

Daily Monitor has learnt that Power paid Enabu money before he signed on the dotted line. They are now demanding for a refund before they can negotiate a deal to let the player back to Warriors.

playing tomorrow
W: A1 vs. Nkumba, 6:30PM
M: Oilers vs. Nkumba, 8:30PM