by Ismail Dhakaba Kigongo
Kampala
Today
Men
Ndejje v Miracle 5.30pm
Power v UCU Canons 8.30pm
Results
Falcons 81-58 KCC
Stone 93-88 Heaters
Women
Amazon Rhino 25-98 A-1
Champions DMark Power, Kyambogo Warriors and Falcons appear to have cemented their places in the MTN-FUBA National Basketball League play-offs but the fourth spot is still very much up for grabs.
Two-time champions Nkumba Marines currently call the shorts but fifth-placed Ndejje University Angels and Miracle Eagles – in sixth – will give everything to snatch it when they clash this evening at YMCA Court, Wandegeya.
“These are the games you have got win to stand a (play-off) chance. We beat them in the first round and must repeat the feat,” Ndejje coach Walker Obedi said. Gerald Peter Bayo from Tanzania’s JKT and Yvez Nkuruzinza from Rwanda have joined Ndejje.
Unbeaten leaders Power - buoyed the return of coach Andrew Baziira who led them to the title last year - face Mukono-based UCU Canons in what promises to be a thriller and Power’s Isaac Afidra is taking nothing for granted. “We have a lot of respect for them. Our problems as a team were with the coach (Brian Wathum) but that is sorted and we are focused,” Afidra said.
In the women’s league, KIU Rangers will face KCC Leopards as the latter try to keep up with leaders A1 Challenge who maintained their perfect record with a 98-25 pummeling of Amazon Rhino on Wednesday night at YMCA.
Even without stars Olivia Mulwana, Mavita Ali and Elizabeth Kiza Baziira, Hatima Kassim sunk a game-high 20 points as Carol Mugasha and Charlene Karungi added 10 points apiece.
Falcons recovered from last week’s loss to Warriors and a few early jitters to defeat KCC Lions 81-58 infront of a a paltry crowd. Henry Malinga and Isaac Lugudde led the way with 18 points each. b