You may be wondering, what is this guy thinking about?

Just like everyone else, our brains can take us to places we want to be in. Or they can make us relive past memories as though those events just happened.

For example, why am I thinking about the 2022 NBL Finals?

When the whole world thought that the Namuwongo Blazers would finally dethrone the dictator.

Since we are in the election season, using the term ‘dictator’ could land someone in a certain ‘basement’ for Runyankole lessons. So for context, I’m referring to the 10-time champions. The City Oilers.

In the 2022 finals, everyone wanted to witness history with their own eyes.

Lugogo Indoor Arena was so packed that just trying to locomate was almost impossible. With any slight movements, bodies would be rubbing against each other giving nyigos vibes at KPA.

“Booking for someone a seat” was a love language. 

All of us were equal in the hunt for seats/space. Whether baddie, a kisati, student, unemployed youth, business person, none of that mattered. All people cared about was finding space for their eyes to watch the game.

The number of people standing was more than those sitting in the designated seats. Many fixed themselves in places they weren’t supposed to be, like the sideline and walkways.

Even players did not have space to inbound the ball.

They say that the air quality in Kampala is very poor. I think in that game 7, the air quality in Lugogo must have been 20 times worse. But guess what? None of that mattered. All everyone wanted to do was witness history with their own eyes.

In the end, the ‘dictator’ was not dethroned and he went on to reign for the next 2 years.

This time however, the dictator has been at his weakest. Despite finishing as the number 7 seed, he went ahead to sweep the number 2 seed and is leading the number 3 seed 2-1 in the semi-finals.

My intrusive thoughts are taking me back to 2022.

I know I’m not alone. I wish that the City Oilers and the Namuwongo Blazers would meet in the finals.

And not just meeting, I wish the series is decided in game 7.

This would be the perfect story line. The perfect script.

A lot has happened since 2022.

3 of the core players of the City Oilers then are now playing on the other side.

When Tonny Drileba said “first beat us in 7-game series” that made rounds.

Now, he will also have to “first beat them in a 7-game series.”

I so badly wish for this to happen because of the many storylines around these 2 teams and their history.

One thing that was talked about when Jimmy Enabu, Tonny Drileba and James Okello left the City Oilers was that the team had made them who they were.

The other faction said that, these players had made the team what it is.

With this match up, this debate can be put to rest.

If City Oilers can defeat the Blazers, perhaps that is evidence enough that the club made them.

If Namuwongo Blazers defeats them, maybe that is enough evidence that the players made the team and ultimately ended their dominion.

Namuwongo has already been confirmed as the team to represent Uganda at BAL.

Defeating the City Oilers would be the icing on the cake for them.

But if they lost, the Oilers would have a lot more to brag about and the Nam Blazers would be termed as the illegitimate Uganda’s representative at BAL.

There is so much at stake in that fixture.

That is what I want to see and I believe many share the same sentiment.

Besides, this fixture will definitely have more hype and the NBL Committee will make more revenue.

I’m sorry to Sommet but I don’t wish you in the finals. Perhaps, next year.

The City Oilers and Sommet will meet for game 4 at YMCA on Wednesday 24th.