Mixed results for Uganda in Zone V

Two lucky Friday Night Lights (FNL) fans stand a chance to watch an NBA game involving champions Miami Heat and Boston Celtics on April 13.

Team Uganda’s challenge at the Fiba Africa Zone V Championships got off to an indifferent start with one victory and a defeat.

Within hours of each other, the men’s team overcame a slow start to beat hosts Tanzania 80-66 at the National Indoor Stadium in Dar-es-Salaam on Monday evening.

Coach Mandy Juruni’s side trailed 17-10 at the end of the first quarter having arrived in the coastal town in two batches – one on Sunday and the other just hours before tip-off.

But the Ugandans rallied to record a convincing win in the end. But the women lost 64-50 to favourites Egypt yesterday morning.

Coach Timothy Odeke will push his team to try and record their first win against Burundi this morning. Uganda lost to Burundi during last year’s edition despite being the better side for long spells.

For the men, today’s fixture against Egypt is the hardest they expected.

“Egypt’s inclusion is a big plus for the tournament at a technical level. We’ll try to compete,” skipper Stephen Omony said.

Egypt beat reigning chmpions Rwanda in their opening game.

Meanwhile, the Friday Night Lights (FNL) season three was launched yesterday in Kampala with a promise that two fans would win a trip to watch the NBA game.

The one-month FNL, which secured a Shs300m three-year sponsorship from Nile Breweries under the Castle Lite brand, starts on February 1 at YMCA, Wandegeya.

editorial@ug.nationmedia.com