UGANDA : Falcons comfortable with current squad


Results – Saturday
Div II: Gulu 80-85 Heaters
Div III: Crane 81-88 Stormers (Heaters, Stormers lead series 1-0)
Wednesday at Lugogo
Falcons v Power (8pm)
Women: KIU v UCU (6pm)
(Power, UCU lead series 1-0)

Mountain Dew Falcons might have looked thin on quality in their Fuba League best-offive semifinal series loss to DMark Power on Friday but remain confident in the abilities of the current team.

Over the past month, reports have been rife about the club’s inability to pay players dues, which prompted Congolese centre Bienvenue Ngandu and Rwandan guard Mike Buzangu to jump ship prior to the start of the postseason.

After going down 76-70 to Power, Michael Mureithi, the Falcons assistant coach, was adamant that the available squad can do the business despite squandering a seven- Xavi ready for war with Mourinho P46 SOCCER point halftime lead at the MTN-NCS Arena Lugogo.
“Ngandu and Buzangu won’t come back for Wednesday’s game (two) and any subsequent games as some outlets have speculated,” Mureithi responded when Daily Monitor asked about the duo’s absence.

He also ascertained the non-payment saying: “the club owes them allowances that are not likely to be paid now as per their pre-conditions to return to the team.” However, Falcons, who were outscored 50-37 in the second half, will have Kenyan coach Smarts Olumbo on hand for the rest of the series.

“Smarts returns on Tuesday so we can have a full technical team from then onwards,” Mureithi added. Elsewhere, Gulu beat Makerere Heaters 85-80 and Magic Stormers overcame Crane High 88-81 in their respective division two and three best-of-three semifinal series to take 1-0 leads at YMCA Court Wandegeya on Saturday. Game two is set for tomorrow at the same venue.