Basketball in Africa

Falcons haven’t done too badly in their journey the wrongs of last year when they ‘wasted’ their Airtel National Basketball League regular season.

They have led the 12-team log for most of the season thus far. But, even if Friday loss to champions City Oilers was only their second in nine, it exposed them.

Oilers beat the six-time league winners 77-66 at YMCA court in a repeat of last year’s final which went the distance.

Coach Sam Obol lacks depth as their scoring options are so limited, even predictable, compounded by Serge Kabangu’s astonishing loss of form. Whereas Stephen Omony scored a game-high 20 points and eight rebounds and Syrus Kiviri had 13 on a labored night, no one else crossed six points.

It’s something we have always known. Oilers only magnified it. Reigning MVP Kami Kabange had 18 and 16 rebounds and Ben Komakech 16. Jimmy Enabu added nine, most of the them during crucial phases and former Falcon Geoff Omondi also made the same number.

The champions led by double figures for most of the game and the margin will flatter Falcons who were also out-rebounded 41-54. They never looked like scoring beyond Omony, literally!

In the early game, Sharing Youth won the clash of newcomers, beating Diamonds in the Sun 77-66 in a thriller that tested their mental toughness.