Basketball in Africa

It feels like forever since A1 Challenge last played at the championship round of the National Basketball League but it has only been four years.
A1 haven't been at the finals since 2010 when they got swept by UCU Lady Canons and their captain Vickie Ntale believes its about time for A1 Challenge to return to the finals.
“We are basically looking at getting back to where the original A1 Challenge were” Ntale told Kawowo Sports. “We don't underestimate any team we play and play every game like it is a final. We want to start now and get ready for the final” she added.
A1 acquired two very good distance shooters in Moreen Amoding and Winnie Anyango. With their bigs Liz Bazira and Vickie Ondiso returning to fitness may take A1’s challenge a notch higher this season.
“We have plays for both (Amoding and Anyango) to get us those shots depending on the defense the other team is giving us. All other guards are working on their shots but we have to get our best shooters working”
“Liz (Bazira) and Betty (Ondiso) are trying to work on their fitness and trying to get back on the team. Once they are fit, we will have a very good big man team inside there”
Despite having a good team, not only do KCCA Leopards and UCU Lady Canons who have squarely shared the last four championships stand in A1’s way, team chemistry also does.
“We have got a big team now. We have the numbers on the team and one of our greatest problems is gelling on court but with more games we have as a team we will gel better” she says. A1 Challenge has already lost to Leopards (twice) and Lady Canons and inconsistency defines the three losses. After matching KCCA in the season opener before falling by 3 points, A1 couldn’t do the same in their second meeting with KCCA and UCU.
Ntale admits her team’s inconsistency but says it’s something they are working hard to walk away from.
“We are looking at walking away from that (inconsistency). We know that’s one of our challenges and we are working hard to overcome it”
The forward was not shy to make the call that A1 Challenge will not only make the finals but win the championship.
“We are making it to the finals this year. We can win this, i believe we can. It wont be easy but with hard work we will. We are doing it For the Love and the Challenge”