Ndikumana didn’t just show up—he made sure everyone knew he was back in Uganda, dropping 17 points, grabbing eight boards, and tossing three assists.

For the first time ever, City Oilers find themselves chasing instead of leading the pack in the National Basketball League. Last season, they handed over their championship crown to the Namuwongo Blazers, losing the finals 4-2. That loss stung.

Now, the Blazers are the top dogs everyone wants to knock off. But on opening night, the Oilers got their revenge, handing Stephen Nyeko’s squad their first loss of the season.

From the jump, the ten-time champs looked sharp. They ran the Blazers ragged and made a statement—this team isn’t done yet.

The Oilers’ new signings—Ndikumana, Joel Lukoji, and Joel Kayiira—gave a taste of why the team is so hyped for this season. Ndikumana, the former MVP, shot three-of-seven from deep and four-of-eight overall as the Oilers took down their rivals 74-65.

The Oilers had a plan for the Blazers: steal their best player. They signed last season’s MVP, Lukoji, and he torched his old team for 12 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists.

Andrew Tendo’s squad started strong, leading 18-10 after the first quarter and holding a 35-32 edge at halftime. In the third, they blew the game open with an 18-8 run, quieting the Blazers fans.

Late in the game, Henry Ssebagala knocked down back-to-back threes for the Blazers, making the score look a little closer, but the Oilers were in control all night.

Baale lit it up.

Fayed Baale, wearing the legendary number 8 jersey—famous because of Ugandan basketball icon Ben Komakech—put on a show of his own. Komakech, now Tendo’s assistant and also coaching at KCCA Leopards, watched as Baale took over, pouring in 20 points and hitting four threes.

Whenever the Blazers tried to make a run, the Oilers’ point guards answered, keeping their team ahead. Captain Titus Lual came off the bench and chipped in with 12 points and seven rebounds.

The Blazers weren’t at full strength. They missed three starters from last year: Lukoji left for the Oilers, Tonny Drileba is injured, and Anthony Chukwurah hasn’t arrived from Nigeria. The champs struggled, plain and simple. Only Peter Obleng (11 points) and Moses Mugisha (10) hit double figures.

Earlier, the season tipped off with the JT Lady Jaguars crushing the Pearl Queens 74-29. That one was never close.

National Basketball League Results

Men:

Nam Blazers 65-74 City Oilers

Sommet 65-56 JKL

Victoria 83-62 Rockets

KCCA 49-51 JT Jaguars

Uganda stuck to their plan of attacking down the wings. Kabene kept taking a touch too many, slowing things down, while Kigongo whipped in early crosses—but there was never anyone in the box to finish them.

Then, in the 23rd minute, Agnes Nabukenya hammered in a goal. For a moment, it felt like Uganda might blow Zambia away in this FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup qualifier at Fufa Stadium, Kadiba. Up to that point, both teams had started slowly. Uganda finally put together a spell of real pressure, and it paid off with that goal. But instead of pressing their advantage, Uganda let Zambia back into the match. The game finished 1-1—disappointing, especially at home, and with so much on the line.

Coach Sheryl Botes’ game plan was obvious. She brought in Krusum Namutebi for steel in midfield and pushed Angel Auki Kigongo out wide on the left. The idea? Move the ball quickly to the flanks, stay away from Zambia’s physical midfield, and use speed to break them down.

That opening goal started with right-back Martha Babirye. She won a throw-in, tried to pick out Sylvia Kabene racing down the wing, and tossed the ball to Patricia Nayiga. Nayiga gave it right back to Babirye, who launched a long ball upfield. Striker Mary Katono brought it down and set up captain Nabukenya at the edge of the box. Nabukenya didn’t hesitate—she smashed it in.

Uganda kept pushing wide, but the same problems lingered. Kabene slowed things up. Kigongo fired in crosses, but with no real target in the box, nothing came of them.

Zambia weren’t just going to fold, though. In the 43rd minute, their coach Florence Nkatya shook things up, swapping out Natasha Nkaka for Lweendo Hanongo in defence and bringing on forward Theresa Nayame for midfielder Lubasi Pumulo. She called it “tactical substitutions”, and it showed.

Uganda looked better after halftime. Nabukenya had a free kick in the 54th minute—she went for power and blasted it wide. That miss stung, because just five minutes later, Zambia made them pay. They won a free kick; Nayame knocked it down at the far post, and Edith Phiri finished it off at the other post. Suddenly, the game was level.

In the 65th minute, Katono had a golden chance after Zambian keeper Mwila Mufunte played the ball right to her, but she couldn’t put it away.

Uganda clearly needed fresh legs up front. Instead, they subbed defensive midfielder Namutebi for Imelda Kasemire, who brought some energy to the middle. But with Kasemire on, Nabukenya had to drop deeper, which took away some of Uganda’s attacking threat.

Peace Muduwa came on for Katono but never really got into the flow, even after nearly scoring from a rebound when Kabene’s header was saved.

Meanwhile, Sumaya Nalumu and Dorcus Kisakye—who had starred against Namibia last round—sat on the bench. Kigongo and Nayiga, so good in the first half, looked like they were running on fumes late in the game, struggling to win balls off throw-ins. Kigongo hit a free kick straight at the Zambian keeper in the 86th minute.

Coach Botes explained her choices: “What we do depends on what the other team is doing or about to do,” she said. She added that Sumaya had been unpredictable in training, so she wasn’t confident about putting her on.

Now, Uganda heads to Zambia for the second leg on Valentine’s Day. They need at least a high-scoring draw to go through on away goals.

FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup

African Qualifiers – Third Round

First leg: Uganda 1-1 Zambia

Second leg: February 14