City Oilers, Uganda’s representatives at the on-going Basketball Africa League Qualifying event in Kigali slipped in their opening game against Mozambique’s Ferroviario De Maputo, 92:87. The Oilers were poised to play the opening game on Tuesday but their opponent KPA of Kenya withdrew from the event at the last minute.
City Oilers pose for a photo before match against Ferroviario de Maputo.
Ferroviario was off to strong start going on a 12-0 run at the start of Q1. Perhaps this run made the difference at the end of the game. Oilers would eventually lose the Q1, 23:15 and Q2, 22:23. Guard Jordin Mayes was the Oilers anchor in the first half scoring 20 points on a 75 percent Field Goal shooting. He would later finish with his team high 27 points and 7 Rebounds. The Oilers found their groove in the second half of the game scoring more (24:21) in Q3 and also tying the game 74:74 with 6:18 left to play in Q4 but mistakes in closing the very tightly contested last 4 minutes cost them the game.
“We had a very slow start but we recovered well to catch up in the last quarter but we were undone by last minute mistakes that cost us the game. We have to remain focused because we have a game tomorrow that we need to win to qualify for the Semi-Finals,” Mandy Juruni, City Oilers Head Coach.
Alvaro Calvo Masa of Ferroviario Maputo went off for a double double of 32 points and 10 Rebounds. He was closely supported with Helton Ubisse who had another double double of 21 points and 11 rebounds. David Canivete and Baggio Chimonzo combined for 29 points in the Ferroviario victory.
Ivan Lumanyika had a solid paint presence for the Oilers scoring 12 points. Robinson Opong was in familiar territory having played in the Mozambican League last year scored 18 points for the Oilers. Recent acquisitions of Devonte Elliot and Tyray Petty combined for 16 points with Petty scoring 9 points.
“This win is very important to us. We started the game very well and even though they adjusted their defense later, we managed to maintain our rhythm. It was a physical game and we came ready for that. We are happy with the result,” Milagre Macome, Ferroviario de Maputo Head Coach.
The Oilers now must win the game tomorrow (Thursday Dec-19) against South Sudan’s Cobra Sport who made it here as a wild card if they are to hold on to the hopes of making it to the semi finals. The top three teams from the Kigali event will join nine other teams that have already qualified in the Inaugural Basketball Africa League that commences in March 2020.
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