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NAIROBI CITY THUNDER FACE BOLD NAM BLAZERS IN HIGH-STAKES CLASH

The Road to BAL 2026 shifts to Division East as Uganda's Namuwongo Blazers face hosts Nairobi City Thunder. Both teams rely on veteran talent in this high-stakes Elite 16 tournament for a coveted Basketball Africa League spot.

Nairobi City Thunder Face Bold Nam Blazers In High-Stakes Clash
Nam Blazers Launch Fearless BAL Qualification Bid

After the Road to BAL 2026 Division West tournament concluded, with Côte d’Ivoire’s Jeuness Club d’Abidjan (JCA) and Libyan team Al Ahly Benghazi advancing to the BAL the next year, attention shifts to Division East.

The Blazers will play the hosts, Nairobi City Thunder, in the Division East tournament, which gets underway Tuesday at the Moi International Sports Centre in Kasarani.

Even though Namuwongo as a team will be competing at this level for the first time, coach Stephen Nyeko will be depending on their seasoned players to take the lead.

"I want to see that translate in the game [against Nairobi City Thunder], even if the boys have been good in practice," Nyeko said. 

During the Nile Conference in Kigali, Jovan Mooring faced the physical difficulties of the African game with MBB, while Tonny Drileba, Jimmy Enabu, James Okello, and Ivan Muhwezi experienced the demands of the Elite 16 with City Oilers.

The stakes are now even higher after Jaycson Bereal Jr. displayed glimmers of his attacking game in the difficult group-phase matchup against Dar City.

Conversely, the Thunder, who are hosting the Elite 16 event for the second consecutive year, kept the core of the club that made history last year by becoming the first Kenyan team to earn a spot in the Basketball Africa League.

The usual suspects, including forward Tylor Ongwae, shooting guard Albert Odero, point guard Eugene Adera, soaring Garang Ding, mechanical combo guard Derrick Ogechi, and journeyman Ariel Okall, will be joined by Lebanese power player Ater Majok, who is of South Sudanese ancestry.

In addition to strengthening coach Brad Ibs' league-winning team, Chase Adams, Lance Thomas, and Bramwel Muchina were brought in to ensure the Thunder bounce back and earn a spot in the BAL for the second consecutive year.

RUGBY AFRICA 7S SEMIFINAL ENDS IN DISAPPOINTMENT FOR LADY CRANES

The Lady Cranes 7s are in the bronze medal match at the Rugby Africa Cup. Uganda beat Tunisia in the quarterfinals but fell to rivals Kenya in a tight semi-final, setting up a 3rd place decider against Madagascar.

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Lady Cranes miss Rugby Africa 7s final after semifinal loss - Image Credit: Hassan Wamwayi

The Lady Cranes faced the 2012 champions, Tunisia, in the Rugby Africa Women's 7s 2025 quarterfinal, and the Ugandans prevailed.

Peace Lekuru dominated the first half of that match, setting up Lydia Namabiro to score a try, helping Samiya Ayikoru, and then scoring a try herself.

Lekuru was replaced by Yvonne Najjuma, who scored a try and put in the huge carries.

The Lady Cranes' quarterfinal victory over Uganda, 31–12, was not flawless since structural flaws began to appear. The Tunisians were able to break the line and score twice because the Cranes were initially putting all seven men in the defence line.

After a Lekuru attempt in the second half, the Lady Cranes rallied to draw the score at 10–10. The Kenyans turned to their kicking game as more Ugandan pressure failed to produce any results. For the Lady Cranes, it was one of those kicks behind the Ugandan defence line that set off a series of bad luck.

The Lionesses kicked a retreating Janat Nandudu, which appeared to be a chance for a comeback. Ayikoru was knocked down after a Namabiro offload failed to gather, and Kenya gained the edge when Nandudu tried to go for the turnover but was penalised.

After the hooter, the Kenyans wasted no time in seizing the opportunity to score a centre post try, which was converted to give the home team a 17–10 victory.

In an attempt to maintain their third-place result, at least, the Lady Cranes will now play Madagascar in the bronze medal match for the second year in a row.

U-17 WORLD CUP: UGANDA KNOCKS OUT SENEGAL, JOY CONTINUES IN QATAR

Uganda's U17 team continues its historic FIFA U17 World Cup run, beating Senegal 1-0 to reach the round of 16. Abubakali Walusimbi's stunning strike and a heroic display from goalkeeper Edrisah Waibi sealed the victory.

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The Uganda Cubs made further history by defeating Senegal - COURTESY/PHOTO

On Saturday, the Uganda U17 Boys National Football Team defeated Senegal in the round of 32 to continue their incredible run at the 2025 FIFA U17 World Cup.

Abubakali Walusimbi's lone goal gave the Cubs a 1-0 victory over the Young Lions of Teranga in the match played at the Aspire Zone, Pitch 7 in Qatar.

With a fierce strike just outside the area at the quarter-hour mark, Walusumbi gave Uganda the lead, which ultimately proved to be the game-changing moment.

The Cubs gained confidence and started the better team against Senegal today after their historic and amazing victory against France in their last group match to guarantee a berth in the round of 32.

James Bogere, Richard Okello, and Arafat Nkoola started up front for coach Brian Ssenyondo's squad that had played against France.

Uganda got off to a strong start when Brian Ijara won possession in the midfield and passed the ball to captain Hamuza Ssengooba, who set up Walusimbi to shoot into the bottom left corner in the fifteenth minute.

Senegal then launched assault after attack, but goalie Edrisah Waibi was brilliant that day and made crucial saves.

It came as no surprise that he was awarded man of the match at the conclusion of the exciting match.

After Ssengooba suffered a head injury in an aerial battle, Uganda was forced to make a replacement in the second half.

When Bakary Sonko went down in the box in the closing moments, Senegal believed they had earned a penalty, but the decision was overturned upon review.

They got the ball in the net two minutes before the end of regular time, but it was also disallowed, this time for offside.

Uganda now awaits the Round of 16 winner between Burkina Faso and Germany.

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