With 52 seconds left, Samad Imran is fouled and he goes to the Free throw line with a chance of tying the game. He misses the first, makes the second to make it 68:69, Power trailing.

Namuwongo Blazers make a turnover on the next possession, Power go on the attack but Kevin Ogunjimi is fouled as he attempts to lay up. He goes to thr free throw line with a chance of giving Power the lead with 34 seconds left.

He unfortunately misses both, and Power get a quick foul on  Gaaki. He makes 1 of 2 free throws to make it a 1-point game with 30 second left. 

Power call a timeout but they fail to execute and Blazers get the possession with 20 seconds left. Joseph Chuma is fouled and he misses both free throws, and Power get the final possession of the game but they can’t execute.

Namuwongo came into the game on the back of a victory against Livingstone and looked to make it 2 wins in a row. On the flip side, Power faced defeat against JKL in their second round opener and hoped to right their wrongs.

Power led 11-3 after the first 3:30 minutes but Namuwongo made 14-0 run in the next 2 minutes and they had a 6-point lead. Both teams exchanged buckets thereafter but the Blazers lead 22-18 after the first period.

Namuwongo extended their lead to 9 at the halftime break.

For most of the third quarter, the Blazers lead was in double digits but Taariq Julaam Tendi Powell made a huge 3-point shot that made it a 7-point game ahead of the final period.

Power had a bit of momentum and they kept within touching distance throughout the fourth quarter but they never quite managed to catch up and the game ended 68-70.

Talking points

None of the new Nam Blazers signings has had a big contribution so far but with their history from their respective teams, one would think it’s only a matter of time.

The Blazers have added big bodies and this could pay huge dividends come play-off time. Most of the teams like to dominate the interior and with multiple options, Blazers might see themselves back in the finals.

Power have now lost 2 games in the second round and the situation is tough given the recruitment of the team’s around them. With just 4 wins so far, Power find themselves in a predicament were they have to win a couple of games if they are to secure a playoff spot or even survive in rhe league, the competition is that tough and the margin for error is slim.

Their new signings Taariq Julaam and Clinton Omondi showed specs of brilliance while Kevin Ogunjimi, who was with them last season has so many questions marks. Nevertheless, the new signings have to help Power get a couple of wins because the competition is too tight.

Match Stats

Power

Isaac Afidra 11 pts, 8 reb, 1 ast, 2 stl, 1 blk

Samad Imran 17 pts, 9 reb, 1 blk

Elvis Ssentongo 12 pts, 7 reb, 3 ast, 3 stl

Taariq Julaam Tendi Powell 10 pts, 1 reb, 4 ast, 3 stl

Nam Blazers

Chuol Nyuot 17 pts, 7 reb, 6 ast, 1 stl, 5 blk

Joseph Chuma 11 pts, 14 reb, 5 ast, 3 stl

Innocent Ochera 12 pts, 3 reb, 1 ast, 1 stl

Match Facts

Chuol Nyuot became the first player to record 15+ points, 5+ rebounds, 5+ assists, and 5+ blocks in a game this season.

Diopa Durocher made his debut for the Blazers and he also got his first start. He recorded 5 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 steal.

Power’s new signing, Kevin Ogunjimi made his debut this season and he made 4 point, 1 rebound, 1 assist and 1 steal. He missed 2 clutch Free Throws that would have given Power the lead with 34 seconds left, and he missed all 4 of his attempts in the game.