FIBA: City Oilers happy with draw

Dec 07, 2016

“We are happy about that but truth is we are ready to take on anyone here.”

By Charles Mutebi in Cairo, Egypt

FIBA AFRICA CLUB CHAMPIONS CUP

Oilers v G.S.P (today)

The City Oilers got they first thing they hoped for at the 2016 FIBA Africa club Champions Cup in Egypt - a kind draw.

The Oilers, placed in Group B, avoided Angola's Premeiro d'Agosto, Egypt's Al Ahly and Tunisia's Club African, seen as three of the four strongest teams at the 12-club tournament that starts today.

"We got a really good draw," said Oilers manager Mohammed Santur. "We are happy about that but truth is we are ready to take on anyone here."

The Oilers mark their debut at the elite African clubs championship today against Algeria's G.S.P, who are wild-card entrants but are far from pushovers.

"Eight of G.S.Ps players are on the Algerian national team that played at Afrobasket (in 2015)," revealed Oilers coach Mandy Juruni, with the obvious implication being the Oilers are not taking them lightly.

The Oilers will need to finish in the top four of a pool that also includes Angola's CRD Libolo, Morroco's AS Sale, Nigeria's Customs and Cameroon's B.E.A.C.

Libolo were 2014 champions and lost last year's final to compatriots Petro Athletico, who failed to return for their title defence because of Libolo and arch-rivlas Premiero d'Agosto.

The tournament's opening ceremony will be held after the Oilers game, at 4pm local time.

Group A

Al Ahly

P. Agosto

Club African

Nzui-Manto

Kano Pillars

A.D. Bairro

Group B

CRD Libolo

A.S. Sale

Customs

B.E.A.C

G.S.P

City Oilers

 

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