Dar es Salaam, Tanzania: Namuwongo Blazers Head Coach Stephen Nyeko says it is a “dream come true” for his team to represent Uganda in the Road to BAL East Division qualifiers in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
“It is very exciting to be here, to represent the country as the Namuwongo Blazers. It is a dream come true. We thought of this some years back, and we are right here (at Road to BAL) in Tanzania. We hope to deliver,” Nyeko said.
The Ugandan side travelled with the full squad, a move expected to boost morale ahead of their debut on the continental stage. The Blazers will play their opening game on Saturday, October 18, against hosts Dar City, before facing Djabal Club from Comoros on Sunday, October 19, at the International School of Tanganyika.
The Road to BAL East Division officially tips off on Thursday, October 17, featuring top clubs from across the region.
Initially, the Blazers were grouped with Burundi’s Dynamo, but after FIBA suspended the Burundi Basketball Federation, Djabal Club was brought in to complete the pool.
Each team will play two games, with the top two sides advancing to the Elite 16 stage of the Basketball Africa League (BAL) qualifiers, the final hurdle before the continental showpiece.
To bolster their debut campaign, the Namuwongo Blazers have added American guard John Murry, forward Joseph Obasa, and BeREAL Junior Jackson, all bringing international experience and athletic depth to the Ugandan outfit.
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