Basketball Africa League

Host City: Egypt, Cairo

Dates: 19-27

City Oilers fixtures

Dates: April 19 – 27

April 19 v Al Ahly

April 20 v Bangui Sporting Club

April 22 Oilers v Al Ahly Benghazi

April 24 v Al Ahly

April 26 v Bangui Sporting Club

April 27 v Al Ahly Bengazi 

Randy Culppeper seems like a hit. Mohammed Bashir is getting into his groove, while Brandon Ssebirumbi is displaying the benefits of the gruelling training camp that coach Nesba Karim has been running.

Simply put, the City Oilers have had the sort of buildup to their second appearance in the Basketball Africa League (BAL) in Cairo that they were hoping for.  And to top it off, they beat Egyptian giants SMOA 55-54 in their second friendly game. 

The Oilers open their account at the BAL against defending champions Al Ahly tomorrow and although the difficulties that lie ahead go without saying, the vibes in the camp of the Ugandan champions have been highly encouraging.

Sure, there have been setbacks, like the late arrivals of Robinson Opong and the unavailability of Folando Jones, whom the Oilers had been hoping will lead their offense for a second consecutive campaign. Opong and BAL Elevate addition Kaman Maluach will have a couple of training sessions with the Oilers before the tournament gets underway.  
It is short of perfection, but the Oilers’ buildup has ticked many boxes. It is undoubtedly better than what they had on debut last year.

“We will be disappointed if we don’t reach the (BAL) playoffs,” Oilers general manager Mohammed Santur told New Vision Sports.

“We are happy with the buildup we have had, and expect a good outcome.”

Al Ahly, Al Ahly Benghazi, and Bangui Sporting Club will be ready to shutter the sense of optimism.