)
KCB-Nkumba’s 3-0 win over National Club Championship winners OBB last Saturday was far from expected.
The two sides clashed, and OBB were four points ahead of Nkumba.
Victory for Protus Soita’s charges would have ultimately kicked Nkumba out of the race for a playoff spot.
But that win in straight sets left Tony Lakony’s side just a point behind the Serie B winners and with a game in hand.
It was a big win, and Lakony’s response was straightforward when asked about the magnitude of that result and what it could mean in the race to the top four positions at the end of the regular season.
“Big win for confidence and a springboard hopefully for the second round run-in,” Lakony told Pulse Sports.
“All teams at this stage present different challenges, and we have to be up for the challenge,” he added.
The win was Nkumba’s sixth of the season, and their 6-4 record has them on 18 points, in fifth place.
OBB have 19 points from 11 games and will be concerned by Nkumba’s late charge.
Almost there
Lakony and his troops were left depleted after the 2019 season.
And the rise of teams like OBB and KCCA, plus the consistency of league-defending champions Ndejje Elites, means that the fight for a playoff spot is much more intense than it was back then.
“One of our targets this season was to make it to playoffs. We have put in a lot of work during post Covid-19 era amidst serious hurdles."
"We have a well-balanced squad to play how we want, and at their full potential, we will be a force to reckon with them. So, we are still on track,” Lakony noted.
Players like Habiba Namala and Flavia Nandawula were part of the very successful Nkumba side and added experience to the current squad.
And with players like Emily Kansiime, Flavia Kanyesigye, Monica Aloyo and Scovia Alungat, Lakony has a squad that can pause a challenge against any team.
Bigger test
Nkumba’s consistency will be tested against KCCA on Sunday. Shilla Omuriwe’s side lost 3-1 to Sport-S last Sunday and will be looking to bounce back.
It will be an even more enormous task for the seven-time league winners; KCCA are wounded and only two points ahead of OBB.
They are three points ahead of their opponents and cannot afford any more slip ups. “It is a big challenge,” Lakony admitted ahead of the KCCA clash.
“They have a lot of balance in the team—a bit of youth, loads of experience and options in different places. It will be challenging, but nothing beyond what we can handle," he added.
KCCA have only lost three games, and those were to the teams above them on the log. Twice to Sport-S and once to Ndejje.
In players like Joan Tushemereirwe, Eunice Amuron, Margaret Namyalo and Zainah Kagoya, Omuriwe has enough talent to take on any team in the league.
Sunday fixture (Old Kampala)
Women
OBB vs Espoir -10am
KCB-Nkumba vs. KCCA -12pm
Men
Tigers vs Ndejje at -2pm
Nemostars vs. UCU -4pm
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)