Africa-Press – Tanzania. ALL is well for the last year’s National Basketball League (NBL) runners up Oilers who set sights to step forward from where they left. The Dar es Salaam-based Oilers left for Arusha gearing to grab the title in the event set to start today.
Speaking in Dar es Salaam prior to their trip to Arusha yesterday, the team’s coach Lusekelo Mbwele said that his team has been well tailored for the success in the league.
“We had an intensive twoweek training camp that we trust nothing will prevent us from returning with the trophy.
“My team is fine and in a good shape, it will be unfortunate to lose our games,” said Mbwele.
The coach names players who are involved in the mission are Lusajo Samuel, Evance Davids, Ally Komba, Herve Mbaya, John Rogatha, Solomon Angelus, Juma Kisoky, Mussa Mwakalobo, Miyasi Nyamoko, Abdul Kihengu, Vince Nixon and Hando Edward. Speaking about the just ended Dar es Salaam RBA league, Mbwele said his team could not do that well due to most of their top players being absent.
“We understand RBA is one of the best basketball competitions, you need all of your best players to be there but sometimes it happens in sports, we have to forget and set our sights on the NBL league now,” added Mbwele.
And one of the team’s stars Samwel said his team is determined to show the highest level of basketball and silence critics who were mocking them in the RBA league.
“We have a quality squad this time around with great experience unlike other teams,” he stressed. Other Dar teams are JKT men and women teams, ABC, Vijana “City Bulls”, and Vijana Queens.
All of them left yesterday ready for the tough duel. Vijana ‘City Bulls’ and their sisters were at Zanaki Secondary School courts under their coaches Ashraf Harun, Kabiola Shomali and Bahati Mgunda, while JKT and ABC were at JKT Mgulani and Twalipo camp courts.
The President of Tanzania Basketball Federation(TBF), Phares Magesa named other teams in the race for NBL title are the 2021 RBA Champions Savio, Pazi and Ukonga Kings all from Dar es Salaam, Donbosco Panthers, Dodoma Spurs, Rukwa Stars, Mtwara, Heroes, Kigoma, Mwanza and Arusha.
The women’s teams, according to him, are Jeshi Stars, Donbosco Lioness, Ukonga Queens, JKT Stars, Vijana Queens, Arusha and Dodoma.
