Mixed luck for Kenyan teams in Kampala clubs’ contest
What you need to know:
- KPA led throughout but it was the university students who had the last laugh, winning the match in the last 20 seconds.
IN KAMPALA, UGANDA
Uganda Christian University women’s team head coach Emmanuel Kiguyi says self-belief and character were key to their victory over experienced defending champions Kenya Ports Authority at the Lugogo Indoor Courts in the Fiba Zone Five club championships on Monday evening.
And in a repeat of last year’s match-up in Dar es Salaam, KPA led throughout but it was the university students who had the last laugh, winning the match in the last 20 seconds.
While KPA were still counting their loses, Kenyan champions Equity Bank were on no-nonsense mood winning their third straight game to maintain their top spot on the log in these matches played on round robin format and which have attracted seven teams.
The Kenyan bankers, who beat Don Bosco of Tanzania in the opening match on Sunday, put up a sterling performance to edge out sturbbon KCCA of Uganda 56-51 on Monday and were 93-44 victors over Horseed from Somalia on Tuesday.
DEEP HOLE
“We have dug for ourselves a deep hole but we must come out of it no matter what,” said KPA coach Anthony Ojukwu, who blamed the players for several turnovers in this game.
He promised to vent his anger on the remaining teams.
His UCU opposite number, Kiguyi, says he will ensure his players do not get carried away with the win and remain focused throughout the championships.
“We believed and fought as Uganda champions and we can not afford to be complacent this time round,” Kiguyi said in reference to last year’s debacle in Dar when they beat KPA by the same margin but lost to USIU to finish a distant third on points difference.
Susan Akinyi top scored with 18 points, Belinda Okoth had 17 points while Hilda Indasi managed 12 points to lead Equity past a stylish Horseed Banadir from Somalia after leading 16-5 in the first quarter and 50-12 at the break.
“We are taking every game at a time but our focus now is on UCU who must drop points to give us a clear path,” Equity coach Ben Oluoch said after the match.
In other matches, Uganda Christian University beat Don Bosco from Tanzania 93-36 in a women’s match while the men matches saw City Oil beat Hawasa City 111-41 while Betway Power defeated Gondar City 113-31.
Wednesday’s program
3pm -Don Bosco v KPA 5pm- UCU v / Horseed 7pm- Equity v APR
