BASKETBALL–City Oilers are a force to be reckoned with at the ongoing Zone V at MTN Arena, Lugogo in Kampala.
A resounding 93-46 victory against Tanzanian Outfit Savio on opening day, preceded by annihilating HawassaCity 111-41 on Monday , on the interim , looked as just effortless for them.
But City Oilers’s audacity to cajole title challengers Patriots 77-73 ignited talk of a genuine impression of potential Champions.The Rwandan Outfit, who had former Oiler’s big man Kami Kabenge as their chief protagonist matched the oilers for entirety but the latter’s gulf of class overcame the former’s grit and determination.
Mandy Juruni’s star stubbed squad will then take care of pointdonors Gondar tonight with the ultimate reward a spot in the semis. And going by Gondar’s below-bar performances, in which Ethiopia’s representatives are searching for their first victory in as many games, City Oilers are odds on favorites to advance. Should City Oilers surmount the Gondar hurdle, as expected with consummate ease, they are likely face Kenyan side KPA, who play Tanzania’s Savio in the corresponding fixture.
Of Course tougher tests lie ahead at the penultimate stage to test their mettle and resolve, principally with Uganda’s other representatives and perennial arch rivals Betway Power wining at will, and the two sides remain on collision course, but what is evident on paper and court of play thus far is that Oiler’s has assembled sheer quality which my take some stopping in the title race.
The core of the 2016 Zone V winning team that had finished second in 2015 and third a year before is still in intact, except star player Kami Kabange who returned to his native Rwanda. And the club wholly exploited the tournament rules and regulations of using nationalized players by adding foreign based players Robinson OdochOpong, Stanley Ociti, A’darius Pegeus and Jordan Mayez. They have seamlessly added poise and guile in team dominated by locally based players.
Mandy Juruni ‘s side boast multifaceted players who can conjure points from a variety of means and identities. “ Of course the quality is too much. Our ambition is to defend the trophy and we can only achieve it by remaining focused for the rest of the tournament. We have started well , and hopefully the commitment remains.”
