Power seek to end losing streak against Canons

Power basketball club face Uganda Christian University (UCU) Canons under the lights of the MTN arena on Friday, April 21.

Power’s focus will be on arresting their recent slide, that has seen them lose three successive National Basketball League (NBL) games. The latest happened on Sunday, April 16, when newly promoted Kampala Rockets nicked the five-time champions 55-53.

This left Power’s record so far this season standing at two wins and four defeats; lying sixth on the 12-team log. However, the overriding question will be, in whose favour their clash with UCU will end?

UCU have equally had their struggles this season, losing three of their four games so far. They sit second from bottom, following a 53-61 defeat at the hands of UPDF Tomahawks on Sunday.

It is inevitable, that coach Nick Natuhereza will be demanding more from his charges. But before they take on Power, they face JKL Dolphins tonight in what should be a good precursor to what has over the years been a big clash.

Yet, after losing a number of his key players from last season: Fayed Bbale, Titus Lual, Sudi Ulanga and Fadhil Chuma, Natuhereza goes through another rebuilding phase, something he has been synonymous with every after an academic cycle of three to four years, when his players graduate and leave.

So far, UCU has looked a better side than Power. And that is largely because of the fact that the players Natuhereza has to his disposal have trained together longer. With the speed and guile of Ibanda Lwabaga, Jimmy Otim and Jerry Kayanga, UCU are favourites against Power.

Perhaps coach Timothy Odeke will need more time to blend this current Power team. It is clear that the short pre-season they had together as players, is affecting them.

While Power has assembled players with potential, it takes time. In fact, apart from Isaac Afidra, Stephen Otoa and Imran Samad, the rest, nine of them, are new. And seeing how UCU played against Namuwongo Blazers and City Oilers, Power may need to pull a rabbit out of the hat to survive the Canons!