by Sande Bashaija
Wandegeya
Today at YMCA
Ndejje v DMark Power 8:30pm
Women
Sparks v Magic Stomers 5:30pm
Mak Cubs v Crane High 7pm
The last time Ndejje University Angels met DMark Power, they suffered one of the biggest defeats witnessed in the men’s topflight MTN-Fuba League this season.
Power rallied to a 124-62 victory in that first round fixture, a result that prompted Peter Mubanda to doubt the university side’s ability to play topflight basketball.
“I don’t think they deserve to play in the league,” Mubanda, the Power technical director, stated then. Going into the final bend of the second round, Ndejje have re-organised, reinforced and habour hopes of snatching a play-offs slot in their debut season in the topflight.
However, after suffering a shock defeat to bottom-placed KCC Lions last Wednesday, Angels’ hopes of finishing fourth now hang by the thread. Kampala International University (KIU), who also have designs on the only remaining play-offs slot, recorded an upset 89-80 victory over Power last Friday, and Ndejje will be hoping for similar fortunes to remain in the race.
It’s not the best time to face the hugely talented Power. Following their shock defeat to KIU, the first in 14 games, the champions recovered perfectly by demolishing Miracle Eagles, another team in the race for fourth position. They hit the Rubaga-based side 101-88 and Ndejje could as well be in for a thrashing if Norman Blick, a 29-point hero against Miracle, turns up with the same hunger.
Makerere Sparks, still with a chance of making the women’s play-offs, are favoured to maul Magic Stormers in an earlier fixture at the same venue, while Crane High have a tough fixture against Makerere Cubs.