Blazers Secure Dramatic 81-80 Victory Over City Oilers in Uganda NBL Opener
The much-anticipated National Basketball League (NBL) season opener delivered a thrilling showdown as the Namuwongo Blazers edged out 10-time champions City Oilers with a narrow 81-80 victory at the Lugogo Indoor Stadium.
The clash provided a perfect platform for two of Uganda’s best basketball talents—Ben Komakech and Jimmy Enabu—to showcase their prowess. Enabu, making his Blazers debut after years of dominance with the Oilers, led his new side to victory with a team-high 21 points. Meanwhile, Komakech put up a stellar fight for the Oilers, scoring 18 points and registering six rebounds and four assists.
Intense Battle Between Former Teammates
Komakech and Enabu, once teammates at Power before moving to the Oilers, found themselves on opposing sides in this high-stakes matchup. The two stars had standout moments, particularly in the third quarter and down the stretch in the fourth, where their big plays kept both teams in contention.
Twice, Komakech was called for a foul and a basket against the athletic Enabu, but he also drained four crucial three-pointers to keep the Oilers in the game. “We dominated on the rebounds, every time they caught up we made a shot or made a good play,” Komakech reflected after the game.
Moses Mugisha’s Clutch Free Throw Seals the Win
With just over a second left on the clock, Blazers’ new signing Moses Mugisha hit one of his two free throws to hand his team the decisive edge, sparking wild celebrations among Blazers’ fans.
Oilers, playing without their team captain Ivan Muhweri—who reportedly went AWOL—relied on a short-handed roster, with only nine players available. Fayed Baale and Titus Lual were also sidelined due to injuries, forcing head coach Andrew Tendo to give debuts to new signings Edgar Munaba and Bolton Rujumba.
Munaba, signed from Titans, impressed with a double-double performance, recording 23 points and dominating the boards.
Tactical Battles and Defensive Intensity
The defending champions started strong, leading 17-10 at the end of the first quarter and maintaining a 34-29 advantage at halftime. However, the Blazers turned the game around with intense full-court pressing and man-to-man defense.
Allawi Ssenkubuge’s crucial block denied Innocent Ochera a potential game-winner at the buzzer, as Oilers held onto a slim 55-54 lead heading into the final quarter.
Despite their resilience, the Oilers suffered another blow when Joseph Chuma fouled out with eight minutes left, limiting their rotation further.
JT Lady Jaguars Upset JKL Lady Dolphins in Women’s NBL Opener
In the women’s category, JT Lady Jaguars pulled off an impressive 75-71 victory against defending champions JKL Lady Dolphins to kick off their season in style.
Led by new signing Shakira Nanvubya (18 points), along with strong contributions from Sandra Wangeshi (12 points) and Sarah Adera (14 points), the Jaguars sent a strong statement to the league’s top contenders.
What’s Next for the NBL Season?
With the season now underway, both City Oilers and Namuwongo Blazers will look to fine-tune their strategies in upcoming fixtures. The Blazers’ strong start positions them as serious title contenders, while the Oilers will aim to regroup and reclaim their dominance in Ugandan basketball.
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