KIU Rangers face crucial NBL clash without four key players

National Basketball League

Friday, 17th May ( YMCA Wandegeya)

KIU Rangers vs Nabisunsa ( 7:00PM)
City Oilers vs UCU Canons ( 9:00PM)

KIU Rangers will host Nabisunsa Girls on 17th May, at the YMCA Court in Wandegeya without four of their most important players. 

Namulema Fildauce, Nanyonga Florence, Racheal Nanyonga, and Nanfuka Stella are all away in Zanzibar representing the country in the East Africa Netball Championship.

This will be a challenging one for the Rangers, who are themselves fighting to stay in the National Basketball League (NBL) playoff hunt. 

They are in position 8 and only a position ahead of Angels Basketball Club at position 9. Nabisunsa, Friday’s visitors, are in position 10.

The Rangers are coming off a tough 72-63 defeat to Magic Stormers on Sunday, 11th May. 

The defeat was their third in the season and jeopardized their playoff position.

The team is now eager to bounce back and close out the first round strong.

The absence of the four players has left a gap in the team, especially because they also have another game scheduled for Sunday, 19th May, against JT Lady Jaguars. 

It's not just KIU Rangers whose players are absent. Many other teams are also affected by the Netball Championship in Zanzibar. 

Some of the missing teams with essential players include UPDF Lady Tomahawks, Magic Stormers, JKL Lady Dolphins, KCCA Leopards, and JT Lady Jaguars.

Among the missing players are Nasiimu Mutesi of UPDF, Ruth Nambirige and Christine Nakitto of Magic Stormers, Shadia Nassanga of JK L Lady Jets, and Mercy Batamuliza of JT Jaguars. 

They are all crucial to their teams and their absence might impact outcome this weekend.

Another huge game this Friday will see City Oilers face UCU Canons. The two are neck and neck on the table, Oilers in 6th position (5 wins, 5 losses) and Canons in 7th (5 wins, 4 losses). The game could decide who finishes higher than the other before recess in the first round.

City Oilers are also under pressure after their 53-50 defeat to Kampala Rockets on Sunday. That was their fifth defeat this season, having lost previously to Nam Blazers, KCCA Panthers, JT Jaguars, and JKL Dolphins.

With only one game left in the first round, Oilers will be seeking to bounce back and end the round on a positive note.

They will need reinforcements and a better performance if they are to improve in the second round.