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When the City Oilers failed to win an eleventh successive National Basketball League (NBL) title last year, they did not take it lightly.
One would have thought that after dominating for 10 successive seasons, missing out on one would not hurt as much. But it did. In fact, when the rest of the teams were largely taking a break off basketball, during the off-season that had started in September for some, while for the two finalists; Namuwongo Blazers and City Oilers, the season ended in November, the latter broke off for just a couple of days.
According to Oilers’ General Manager, Grace Kwizera, for some of their players, pre-season training began in November, while others got extended treatment for the niggles, that had kept them on and off court; all in preparation for the 2026 NBL season.
In fact, as Oilers prepare for the Easter festivities, which will be headlined by their clash against the Victoria University Crocs on Friday, April 3, their start to the season so far, is indicative of a team that actually looks the part to regain their seat at the top of Ugandan basketball.
Oilers have three more opponents to face before the end of the first round: Crocs, Rezlife, and UCU Canons. Yet, they remain the only unbeaten side in both the men and women’s top flight leagues.
Oilers have won eight in eight, and from the way they are playing, they will take some beating. Already, Oilers have been tagged as NBL title favourites, and much credit has been accorded to their coach, Andrew Tendo.
In response, he said: “I do not know about being favourites. But what I am confident about is the fact that we have a good team, that is capable of winning the league.”
Considering that Oilers beat the defending champions, Namuwongo, on the opening day of the season, February 6, it does not seem likely that there is another team in the league to match them.
Perhaps Sommet came close to beating Oilers recently, when they pushed them hard in the fourth quarter, but some seemingly bad decisions had the game ending 66-60. That game is probably the toughest Oilers have had this season.
Roger Serunyigo, the Crocs coach noted that Oilers look complete in all departments, which is why they look unbeatable this season. By this time last season, Oilers were in the lower half of the 12-team league.
By the end of the regular season, they actually crawled over the line to make the playoffs. They finished seventh. Yet, this time, Tendo acknowledged, the additions to the team have made a big difference to their performance; none more so than the experienced Landry Ndikumana.
The Burundi forward has boosted Oilers’ offence and defence, averaging 10 points per game, and five rebounds. Ndikumana, who was the NBL Most Valuable Player in 2019, before leaving for greener pastures, brought bundles of experience to this youthful Oilers team.
Ndikumana’s quality is inevitably rubbing off the rest. But the fact also that he won championships with Oilers multiple times before, he has proved to be an invaluable player. Last season, with Titus Lual injured largely, Oilers were forced to field Joseph Chuma at the post to aid Rogers Dauna and Maker Mer.
Yet, that was not Chuma’s more natural position. It is evident that with the return of Ndikumana, add Joel Kayiira from UCU Canons and Joel Lukoji from Namuwongo, Oilers have a more balanced team; players operating in their more natural roles.
Notably, at the front court, with Lual, Kayiira, and Ndikumana, Oilers look unmatched. Tendo noted that the overall set- up has inspired his youthful team to perform better this time.
With small forward, Malual Dier, who sat out much of last season because of injury returning, Edgar Munaba has found some relief. Indeed, the likes of Benjamin Kawumi, Dauna, Munaba, and the recent recruit, Isaac Athuai are all looking good; a stark contrast from last season.
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