Whereas DMark Power might get through the festive season celebrating their fourth MTN-Fuba League title, other teams have already started groundwork on how to dethrone them next season.
Miracle Eagles have fired the first shot by acquiring Richard Osano Omondi from Mountain Dew Falcons. The Kenyan signed a three-year contract last week. “Yes, Osano is part of our team and this is only a step in emphasising where we want to go in the short and long term,” Miracle team manager Brian Minge told Daily Monitor.
He did not give away too much in terms of the financial implications to the Rubaga-based side that already has former MVP Stephen Omony, who quit Falcons over a pay dispute earlier this season, on its books as they strive to reach the play-offs for the very first time.
“Our agreement with him involves footing his tuition fees at Makerere University (where he is pursuing a Bachelors Degree in Information Technology) plus of course training allowances and salary,” Minge added. Omondi’s deal is said to be worth Shs20m, according to sources.
His addition that follows the signing of point guard Francis Tumusiime in mid-season as he recovers from an ankle injury, makes Miracle an early threat with grapevine ripe that Power’s Ben Komakech might return to his former side. “I am a Power player and enjoying the moment of winning the title. I will think about my next move very soon,” Komakech said when asked.
White socks
During last year’s Fiba Zone V Club Championship in Kampala, Omondi rose to prominence not only for his white socks but also leading Kenya Co-operative Bank to the regional title. He was voted MVP.
Thereafter, Falcons signed him along with several other regional stars like Bienvenue Ngandu and Mike Buzangu who jumped ship prior to the play-offs over non-payment.
Omondi, now in Nairobi for the East Africa University Games, was the engine behind Falcons’ surge into the play-offs although they lost to Power in the semifinals.
“It’s been a good first season for me in Uganda and I want to continue playing here. Of course we could have done better with the players we lost especially Ngandu,” said Omondi. On the other hand, Minge has started hunting for a new coach as Brian Rugyendo left the side he led to fifth place for two consecutive seasons but failed to break the play-offs barrier.
Reports indicate the two parted company under mutual consent.