Basketball in Africa

Before last Sunday, Nkumba Marines were the only team in the Airtel National Basketball League yet to win a game.
Out of nowhere, coach Timothy Odeke’s side exploded into a 68-64 win over Ndejje University Angels.

There was hardly a sign to suggest their fortunes were about to change soon. They even overcame a gallant effort of 22 points from Geoffrey Soro for Ndejje. Can they make it two in two? Maybe, maybe not!

We could be asking for a second strike of lightning in seven days but Odeke is a believer in near miracles and never dismisses possibilities.
UCU Canons will hope not as the two university sides clash at YMCA Court today. These are two sides on opposite ends of the title prism.

Nkumba can barely fill their roster to 12 and normally field eight players. UCU still harbour title aspirations, seven years after their league debut, punctuated by regular semifinal appearances.

Last Sunday, UCU had been warned of complacency against teams like these by their coach Nicholas Natuhereza having lost to Charging Rhino and Diamonds in the Sun.

Those losses propelled them to beating newcomers Sharing Youth 58-52 even though the margin highlights the struggles of the so-called top sides on Sundays.

Earlier, KIU Titans face Charging Rhino in another Goliath-David clash where anything other than a result for the former will be a shock.
In the women’s division, Magic Stormers will want to showcase the lessons learnt on their recent visit to Rwanda against champions KCCA Leopards.
Stormers played in the Gisembe Memorial tournament, finishing third, the first time they ever played outside Ugandan borders.

TODAY AT YMCA
M: UCU vs. Nkumba, 7.30pm
M: KIU vs. Rhino, 3.30pm
W: KCCA vs. Stormers, 5.30pm
W: Sparks vs. Nkumba, 1.30pm