Basketball in Africa

Maureen Amoding set the stage for what should be an exciting Airtel National Basketball League season for her new club, A1 Challenge.
Amoding’s fighting performance was not enough as the women’s league champions KCCA Leopards inevitably prevailed 49-46 at a near-full Lugogo MTN Arena on Friday. But, it said a lot about the mindset of everyone, perhaps.

The former Most Valuable Player (MVP), signed from UCU Lady Canons on Thursday, missed what would have been a game tying three-pointer with 3.3 seconds left. She has an audacious task of upsetting the KCCA-UCU duopoly. At least, the guard seemed to relish it, so are Tiger Head Power.

Faced with an 11 successive defeat to two-time defending champions City Oilers, Power played with heart, desire and hardly any finesse, just like Amoding earlier.

Just when the vociferous Power fans started to chant loudly, scenting a rare victory, there was a blackout and the game was eventually called off. Coach Robert Mugabe’s team led 63-58 with under two minutes, 1.59 to be exact, to play.
Even if Power had not found satisfying answers to Kami Kabange, limiting him was evident.
Power’s off-season purchases Sudi Ulanga (UCU Canons) and Michael Makiadi (KIU Titans) struggled though point guard Fahmy Ssebatindira (Charging Rhino) showed glimpses of what he could add. Returnee Ken Balyejusa, too, got a run-out.

Also, Paul ‘McGyver’ Odong and Francis Odom had got going. Now, both sides must do it all over again today at midday at the same venue. Power have, however, vowed not to show up for the game today.

“We won’t play on Sunday midday because it not part of our plans and schedule,” Power chairman Patrick Obalim said yesterday.

“Players and fans have to spend time with their families. We advise Fuba to reschedule the game for a Tuesday or Wednesday because fans won’t show up at midday. The game is for fans and players so this gang-ho approach must stop.”

He added: “The blackout was out of Fuba’s control just like rain at YMCA but why not have a standby generator? We are not giving away a walkover as we wait for reschedule.”