Record National Basketball League (NBL) champions, City Oilers, faced a turbulent season after returning from the Basketball Africa League, losing three of their captains just as the league entered its crucial phase.
Jimmy Enabu, James Okello, and Tonny Drileba all announced their departure from the club, leaving a significant void as teams scrambled for playoff positions and the battle for the top seed intensified.
Despite these setbacks, the Andrew Tendo-coached City Oilers managed to maintain their momentum, securing the top seed and eventually clinching a record 10th consecutive NBL title.
Speaking on a Twitter Space organized by sports site 2bobsports, City Oilers’ legendary guard and current assistant coach, Ben Komakech, reflected on how the team pulled through despite the challenging circumstances.
“These were our brothers, and we understood why they left,” Komakech said, acknowledging the departure of Enabu, Drileba, and Okello.
Komakech credited the motivation and hunger within the remaining squad as a key factor in their success.
“The players on the team were motivated, and many wanted to get minutes that they felt they deserved,” he explained.
This internal drive allowed the team to focus on a game-by-game approach, without immediately fixating on winning the championship.
“We were taking it on a game-by-game basis. We weren’t thinking about the Championship straight away,” Komakech added.
Oilers’ Titus Lual stepped up during the campaign eventually getting named the Most Valuable Player of the season.
City Oilers’ ability to maintain their dominance in the league, even after losing such influential figures further solidified their legacy as the best team in the National Basketball League.
