Nam Blazers versus Livingstone was one of the most chaotic games this season, as it saw 5 people get ejected and the referee abandoning the game.
The first phase of chaos happened in the second quarter when a mini-fight erupted between Diopa Durocher and James Okello.
While trying to fight for a rebound, something happened and James Okello reacted.
Accounts of what happened are not clear, but some say Diopa appeared to have pinched Okello; others say it was a punch around the abdominal area.
Okello reacted immediately; there was a lot of pushing and shoving and words being exchanged.
Akris Ainomugisha came in to intervene and got a share of what was being served by Okello.
After a while, Diopa, Okello, and Akri were ejected and the game continued, but with mild tension to it.
All this happened in the second quarter with 5:24 left and the Blazers led the game 30-15.
The second phase of chaos happened in the third quarter, this time around between the coach and the referee.
With 4:42 left in the game, the Blazers led the game 47-28 and what unfolded was peak cinema.
The referee, David Opolot, called a foul against Livingstone’s Elly Okello in front of their bench.
They thought it would have been called an offensive foul against Joel Lukoji but the referee called it against them.
This is when the chaos started.
The coach, Jeff Omondi, appeared to rather aggressively ‘attack’ the referee and there was an exchange of words.
He was charged with a technical foul but continued with his complaints unpleasantly, and before we knew it, he was added another, which meant he was ejected.
That did not stop him; he continued and had to be held back by the Competitions Council Chairperson, Mr. Donnan Byabazire, and Edwin Beinomugisha.
Shortly after, he exited the grounds, but what shocked most of us was the referee, David Opolot, also leaving the ground and abandoning the game.
In the same breath, Abel Emwodu was also ejected for his contribution to the chaos.
After a long wait, referee Louis Malinga replaced him and the game proceeded.
Coming into this game, Namuwongo had won all their 7 games to start the season and this was expected to be an easy win for them.
For Livingstone, they had won just 1 of their 7 games and it was going to be a long evening for them.
Straight from the tip-off, the Namuwongo Blazers led the game and after the first quarter, it was 19-7.
Livingstone scored just 1 field goal in the final 6 minutes of the quarter, had 5 turnovers and 4 missed free throws.
Despite all the chaos, Livingstone looked a better side in the second quarter.
They matched the Blazers’ 17-point tally in the period but still trailed 36-24 at halftime.
After the coach was ejected, Nam Blazers outscored Livingstone 14-3 in the final minutes of the quarter to make it a 28-point game into the fourth.
At this point, there was not much to be salvaged for Livingstone and the Blazers went on to win the game 81-44.
Match Stats
Namuwongo Blazers
Peter Obleng 13 pts, 7 reb
Moses Mugisha 15 pts, 4 reb, 2 ast
Jimmy Enabu 13 pts, 4 reb, 3 ast
Livingstone
Derrick Otim 13 pts, 8 reb, 4 ast
Michael Kuol 9 pts, 9 reb, 2 ast
Match Facts
4 players and 1 coach were ejected and this is the highest number of ejections in a single game this season.
Livingstone has now lost 7 of their 8 games, and the situation is not getting any easier.
They take on the UCU Canons next on Wednesday 23rd at Lugogo.
Namuwongo Blazers are still flawless with 8 out of 8 wins this season.
They face Sommet next on Saturday 26th at UCU, Mukono.
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