KIU Titans out to stop City Oilers juggernaut

The KIU Titans are not prepared to sit back and let the City Oilers run the National Basketball League (NBL).

The Titans have consequently splashed the cash in the most ambitious spending spree of any NBL club so far. Sudi Ulanga, Ivan Lumanyika, Kutai Gatwech have been acquired - from Power, the UCU Canons and the Sharing Youth respectively - while Jean Hakizimana and Etienne Kazungu have also joined from Burundi.

For good measure, youngster Mathew Ochieng has been thrown in the mix, with an eye on the future.

But it's the present which is priority for Sserunjogi's Titans, who are one of several NBLclubs desperate to end the tyranny of the Oilers in 2016. Mandy Juruni's side have done a three-peat while rewriting the rules of what it takes to be NBL champions.

But for KIU patron Nasser Sserunjogi, the solution to the Oilers is being pursued through the player-market and there is general agreement that KIU have shopped well. Their squad is, pound-for-pound, arguably the most offensive talented in the NBL.

The Titans had a prolific team last year but were eliminated in the playoff semi-finals by the UCU Canons, falling short of their target to reach the finals by one victory.

But the new arrivals have given them the look of serious contenders, who simply need to figure out a way to make the pieces fit. If they do it in time, a new NBL champion could emerge. If not, well.

"We have a very solid team this year," Sserunjogi admitted. "We will be able to compete."