The 2025 NBL Finals could potentially come to a climax on Wednesday 5th as Nam Blazers and City Oilers meet in game 6.

The Namuwongo Blazers turned tables around, coming from down 0-2, to lead the series 3-2.

In game 6, they will have a chance to win the championship and dethrone the 10-time champions, the City Oilers.

However, the City Oilers will also come out hard, fighting to keep their season alive, and to protect their pride.

As thus, the game is expected to be very intense and you need the right referees for a game of this magnitude.

World over, in big games, the best referees are usually assigned with the expectation that they can handle the pressure that comes with the game and manage it well.

In a massive game 6, who are Uganda’s best referees and which team of 3 will be used?

At the moment, we have no idea who will officiate but let us reflect on how the first 5 games went.

In game one, Mandy Baker, Brian Ssebalamu and David Opolot were the officials.

City Oilers won the game 76-70 and Nam Blazers had 24 free throws to City Oilers 17.

Game two, Anita Wayenze, David Ssenfuma and Mandy Baker were officials.

City Oilers won the game 90-83 and they also had more free throws, 29, to Nam Blazers 24.

Game three, Lizzy Nambuya, Raymond Ayesiga and David Opolot were the officials.

Nam Blazers won the game  80-70 but City Oilers had more free throws, 24 to 16.

Game four, Mandy Baker, Anita Wayenze and Mark Marvin Kiyingi were the officials.

Nam Blazers won the game 71-64 and also won the free throw battle, 26-23.

In game five, David Ssenfuma, Raymond Ayesiga and Derrick Busuulwa were the officials.

Nam Blazers won the game 71-68 but City Oilers won the free throw battle, 31-20.

Game two was the most contentious of all the games. The referees made some questionable decisions and with the way the game was intense, many don’t believe they did a good job.

If you ask anyone, game three was the best game from a referee perspective. 

Most of the decisions were spot on and there was a lot of composure all through.

Game four was not as good as good three but it was decent.

Finally, game five had a lot of people raising their eye brows.

The National Team manager took to social media to complain about the officiating.

There was a lot of physicality in the game and some time the referees allowed it,  other times they didn’t.

It is safe to say, there were some inconsistencies but nonetheless, a fairly good job.

In game six, what are you looking for.

The most important thing here is to get people who are calm and composed.

One of those is David Opolot who knows how to handle himself and has a very keen eye.

The other is Raymond Ayesiga. In the games he has worked on in the finals series, there hasn’t been serious complaints or drama.

He also has a very keen eye and his communication to the players is always good.

He is not quick to punish and always issues warnings first.

The other person to be considered is Brian Ssebalamu.

Brian was at the Road to BAL in Zambia and has worked on his craft.

Putting him in charge of a game like this would boost him.

One other person to be highly considered is Lizzy Nambuya who did very well in game 3.

To be honest, all the other referees, who have officiated in this finals series, are not trusted by the majority of the public.

Some people have cited ego and emotions, others former affiliation to some teams et cetera.

Besides, in the games were they officiated, there was some controversy unlike the games were the referees above officiated.

You don’t want to have a game were a referee(s) become the center of attention.

All you want is a smooth game that is determined by the players.

One thing about this game is, it will be very intense and physical.

Whoever is is charge, they must make sure to manage it very well.