All is set for a grand showdown between City Oilers and KIU in the finals of the Federation of Uganda Basketball Associations (FUBA) championships next Friday, January 5, 2018.
Scores of fans of both sides are expected to flock to the finals with heightened hopes and expectations. City Oilers fresh from continental exposure on the flip side are reportedly exhausted and could be in for an upset if pedigree does not rescue their effort.
The defending champions City Oilers seek to defend their title as KIU Titans plot a major scheme to capture their first ever title. KIU Titans advanced to the National Basketball League finals for the first time ever after beating Pemba Warriors 74-65 in Game 4 on November 19, at Lugogo Indoor Stadium. The highly impressive Kansanga based side which won its series 3-1 has attracted applause from basketball officials.
Speaking to Monday Times this evening, Grace Kwizera a FUBA official placed his bet on KIU Titans.
“KIU are currently favorites they are playing very good basketball. It is their first time in the finals so they have extra impetus. It will be a bruising battle as far as I know. The winner becomes champion there. It is a game of seven series Monday, Wednesday and Friday. City Oilers has come from an Africa wide campaign so they are all tired but let us see what they can do,” Kwizera said.
On November 12, City Oilers beat Power 77-59 to advance to the play off finals. Their combined score of 20 points (from skipper Jimmy Enabu), 15 points (from Stephen Omony), 13 points (from Ben Komakech), and 12 points (from Landry Ndikumana) proved that they are the force to reckon with come Friday. Prior to this win, they have overcome Our Savior 76-50 on November 4th, at YMCA.
City Oilers coach Mande Juruni says that while KIU Titans are the team to beat this year, his side is not taking chances.
“Well you know in the finals you play to win the finals. These are championship games. Us as City Oilers we want to defend our championship because we are the current champions. KIU first of all they earned their rights to be there. They had fantastic quarter finals and quarter finals. We are not taking them lightly. They have a fantastic team and fantastic players. They earned their rights to be there. So we have to be physically and mentally ready because we know its going to be tough final,” Juruni said in an interview with this newspaper.
The winner this year could go without prizes because there is no sponsor for the league at the moment, however City Oilers’ Juruni says, “City Oilers always take care of the players.”
