Basketball in Africa

Kampala.

Not many people gave Stanbic Warriors a chance going into their Airtel Fuba League matchup against the champions City Oilers at the Lugogo on Friday.

They kept themselves in it though and were level at 54-all under three minutes before the Oilers finally pulled away with a 61-54 win.

Warriors also provided the game’s biggest highlight, Mark Opio crossing over Geoff Omondi before draining a three as Warriors won the first quarter 21-16. The former also finished with a game high 17 points. “We’re getting there bit by bit and happy with today’s performance.

We wanted to gauge ourselves against the top teams and we have not done too badly,” Warriors coach Gad Eteu stated after the game. The Oilers had Kami Kabange score 16 points and Jimmy Enabu 15 as they restricted the Warriors to four points in the second quarter which they won 13-4.

The Warriors then tried to stage a comeback taking the third quarter 18-14 before losing the fourth 18-11. “We knew their threat offensively was going to come from the shot, but we still allowed them to make it. If we had got a team that could hurt us on the inside then we would have been in trouble,” a rather disappointed Mandy Juruni said after the game.

Burundian forward Landry Ndikumana made his debut for the Oilers scoring seven points and picking nine rebounds in 28 minutes on court.

Today, Fahmy Sebantidira who spent five years at Charging Rhino will turn guns against his former side as they face Tiger Head Power in one of five games at Lugogo and UCU courts.

PLAYING TODAY
Lady Canons vs. A1 Challenge
M: Diamonds vs. Our Saviour
UCU Canons vs. Bush Court
Tiger Head Power vs. Charging Rhino

Lady Marines vs. Amazon Rhino
FRIDAY RESULTS

Warrioes 54-61 Warriors
W: KIU Rangers 42-65 KCCA Leopards