Basketball in Africa

KAMPALA- At the start of the season, City Oilers and Tiger Head Power looked like they had the best rosters and many backed them to contend for this year’s title.

But after Oilers won the fifth consecutive meeting between the two sides on Sunday 73-66 (last year’s final three semi final playoff games inclusive) many might now have reservations about the latter.

“There is no mental block,” Bernes Ankunda the Power coach insisted when put to him that his team had lost five straight games to their opponents. “We were just poor on the day which I know is very frustrating for our fans when we face a top side,” offered the coach whose side are now 10-5.

Ankunda also remained optimistic that his team who again struggled on the inside with the absence of Phillip Ameny who was serving the last of his eight game suspension would improve.

“If Ameny returns and Isaac Afidra gets over his back problem then they can make a huge difference for us,” he explained.

Power though were ultimately undone by reigning MVP Kami Kabange who scored a game high 23 points and eight rebounds as Oilers improved to 14-2. Samuel Kalwanyi also continued season form contributing 11 points and picking 18 rebounds while Jimmy Enabu and Daniel ‘Najja’ Jjuko added 12 and 11 respectively.

For Power, meanwhile Abdulahi Ramadhan notched a double-double that included 20 points and 10 rebounds with Paul Odong and Joseph Ikong contributing 17 and 12 points respectively.

Elsewhere, guard Fahmy Sebatindira’s 12 points helped charging Rhino to a shock 71-66 victory over six time champions Kryshna Falcons for whom Yves Kalambai 24 points, Steven Mwesigye 16 points and 14 rebounds were futile.