Blessing in disguise 

The Namuwongo Blazers basketball club expect to unleash their latest signing, a big man from Nigeria this Friday, July 4.

On the same day, they take on a fast-rising Sommet Basketball club. This clash is going to happen at a time when Namuwongo suffered its first two defeats this season. Last Friday, June 27, a last-seconds three-point shot by Marvin Jesse Okurut ensured that the UCU Canons beat Namuwongo 62-61.

Then that was followed by another shocking result on Sunday, June 29, when the Kampala Rockets beat the table leaders 65-60 at the Lugogo indoor stadium. So, for Namuwongo, it is all about bouncing back, to restore the glory that until last Friday, had seen them win 16 games in a row.

So, John Bosco Okuchukwu, their latest arrival, joining another in Anthony Chukwubuka, will be expected to come down on Sommet like a brick wall, as Namuwongo’s intentions remain firm on the belief that they are still the National Basketball League’s best team, and the 2025 championship is still theirs to lose even though the rest of the league has been encouraged that even a star-studded side like Namuwongo is fallible, too.

Stephen Nyeko, the Namuwongo coach, said: “Back-to-back defeats are a bitter pill to swallow, considering the expectations we have this season. That said, every team goes through tough times. But make no mistake, the talent is there in this team. Yet, I have felt that in the pressure moments during our recent games, we have not executed well.”

Against that, Nyeko added that they have to improve, and show resilience, going forward. Regarding the losses to Canons and Rockets, Nyeko pointed out that overall, they did not fight as hard as they had in previous games to force a victory.

While Nyeko is not oblivious of the fact that both teams are good, considering how well they adjusted to contain his team’s threat, he did not feel that they concentrated and focused well to the finer detail throughout the game.

That, Nyeko noted, can be seen especially on offence, where they missed a number of easy scoring opportunities. Other observers argued that because Namuwongo have been on a winning streak, there is normally a tendency to be complacent; and like they say, pride precedes a fall.

Namuwongo had beaten Rockets and Canons in the first round quite comfortably. Besides, in the game against Canons back in May, they became tough at the tail-end when the Mukono-side turned it on, threatening to win it. Yet, because of the quality possessed by Namuwongo, they turned on the style, and eventually ran away with it.

However, Nyeko does not believe that his side is being arrogant simply because it comprises Tonny Drileba, Jimmy Enabu, Innocent Ochera, Lukoji Banza, James Okello and Michael Makiadi, who without a doubt are arguably the best in the league.

“Even the best teams in world sport, get a blip here and there. But it is inevitable to lock out their star over the long haul. So, we will be back,” Nyeko said.

Notably, looking deep into the game’s intricacies, critics point out that Nyeko has so many good players, and, therefore, he is struggling to have the right balance for them to play. At the same time, others feel that his rotation of 12 players is too big. Apparently, a seven-to-nine-man rotation is enough.

Furthermore, it was pointed out that Nyeko’s post players have not particularly been overwhelming, which to many is down to the way the coach sets up his team to play. Namuwongo has appeared to rely mostly on its guards, hence limiting the forwards’ contribution.

For example, against the Rockets, who play a big man’s game through Mpiya Juf, Ozias Kikomba and Christian Ndibo, all towering six footers, Namuwongo would have been prudent to play an inside game, in order to put them in foul trouble. But all three forwards finished the game with just three fouls and the win.

A more-or-less similar scenario played out against the Canons. Nyeko, who is not new to criticism, said there is no doubt his “biggies” have to do more. In addition, he dismissed any suggestion that his side has no plays for the big men.

He went on to sight that throughout the season, he has been rotating most of his players and they won. So, it cannot be a problem now. Nyeko reasoned that all his players have got to be ready for battle in case of any eventuality. Denying players playing time does not help them develop to become competitive.

In light of that, Nyeko said he is not “wet behind the ears” to know that in Ugandan basketball, teams that win championships, have effective big men. Last year, Oilers’ Titus Lual and Maker Mer were crucial in winning the tenth title.

And all years down the road, Oilers have relied on the likes of Landry Ndikumana (Burundi), Kami Kabange (Rwanda), and Francis Azolibe (Nigeria). Sommet has brought in one of their own in Fataki Nyembo from DR Congo, and right now he has ensured that they have won five of their six second-round games. On account of that, Namuwongo are unlikely to find it easy avoiding a third loss in a row!

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