The 2017 National basketball league gets underway this Friday with a repeat of last season’s final as Betway Power take on defending champions City Oilers at the MTN Arena, Lugogo.
Power head coach Arnold Lando has the conviction that his team will have a better shape than they were the previous campaign beginning with the opener against City Oilers.
“We have had a perfect off season, tried to evaluate ourselves, what we did and didn’t do last season and how best we can improve. We want to start the season in a positive way and thus we are ready for the game,” he stated.
Power have beefed up their squad bringing on board several new players including Sande Okot, Francis Kasinde among others to beef their squad and Lando believes he has got depth in squad.
“Last season, we played with a small team and we did have a good bench but I believe the new acquisitions give us depth that we need,” Lando noted.
On the other hand, City Oilers have kept almost their squad intact with the major departure being Kami Kabangu who moved to Rwanda.
However, the four time champions already acquired Stephen Umony from Falcons to try and fill the void.
The opening game of the day will be in the ladies category where defending champions UCU Lady Canons will take on A1 challenge
A1 have lost several players including, Dorothy Kyamazima, a notable Guard who crossed to KCCA Leopards, while, Nanyonga Rachel and Birungi Desire crossed to Magic Stormers where they earlier played.
Meme Rukia is out on maternity leave and likely to be out for long spells.
However, A1 have boosted their squad in signing, Nyapendi Maureen from St Mary’s Kitende, Akol Elizabeth from Lioness, Norah Namutosi, Ainematsiko Marco from Lioness, Kirungi Charlene from Gladiators as well as Kirungi Ruth.
UCU Lady Canons haven’t lost any key player, they will kick start the season with the same players that helped them win the league as they got the better spoils against A1 Challenge .
Having won the league back to back Lady Canons will be looking for nothing less.
National Basketball League
Ladies category
A1 challenge vs UCU Lady Canons 6pm
Men’s category
Betway Power vs City Oilers 8pm