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For the Oilers, the new season will start before they make their Basketball Africa League debut next month.
When the National Basketball League tips off on Sunday, City Oilers will be in search of a ninth championship in nine seasons.
And going by additions to the team ahead of the new season, only a favourites’ tag is befitting.
Point guard Tony Drileba will miss Sunday’s opener against KIU Titans due to injury, but in his absence, new signing Fayed Baale will have the opportunity to direct the traffic.
The objectives remain the same for the Oilers, and Drileba, while appearing in a televised interview Friday morning, sent out a warning to the rest of the field.
“Winning. We are already looking at the finals,” the Silverbacks guard said when asked about the mindset with which the team will go into the new season.
The last two championships for the Oilers have been won the hard way.
Both Namuwongo Blazers (2022) and UCU Canons (2019) stretched the series to seven games, but the Oilers celebrated in the end.
Last season’s championship was arguably the most challenging test for Mandy Juruni and his troops.
A close 66-64 victory in the decider ensured the club retained the title.
Baale, Titus Lual, Edrine Walujo, Mike Ngut, Julius Tukunde and Allawi Ssenkubuge are some of the additions to the Oilers’ roster.
Ruai Luak and Henry Mulira are the other signings.
“We have brought in some new players, and helping them understand how we want to play is our focus,” Drileba noted.
For the Oilers, the new season will start before they make their Basketball Africa League debut next month.
Playing at BAL has been the club’s target since the tournament started but winning the league remains the primary focus, considering the BAL journey begins with winning back home.
Drileba, James Okello, Jimmy Enabu and Ben Komakech will still be expected to run the show for the eight-time champions, but the new additions will give Juruni options.
KIU Titans will be the first team to face the Oilers’ firepower on Sunday.
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