The City Oilers continued their dominant run in the Elite 16 East Division group phase, defeating Zambia’s Matero Magic 93-73 in Nairobi.
The victory extended the Ugandan side’s perfect record to 2-0, securing a spot in the semi-finals ahead of their final group-stage clash against Burundi’s Urunani.
Matero Magic, coming off a heavy 87-34 loss to Urunani, initially matched the Oilers stride for stride in the opening quarter, which ended 18-15 in favor of Andrew Tendo’s team.
However, the Oilers’ offensive rhythm clicked in the second quarter, with an 8-0 run fueled by back-to-back three-pointers and defensive stops. By halftime, they had stretched their lead to 41-33.
The Oilers dominated the second half, outscoring Matero 27-19 in the third quarter and sealing the game with an explosive fast-break performance.
Petty Parish led the charge with 20 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists, while Israel Otobo contributed a commanding double-double of 13 points and 12 rebounds, including nine defensive boards in the first half.
Youngster Waleed Ali also delighted fans with a late-game highlight, scoring a buzzer-beater in just 55 seconds of court time, earning a standing ovation from the Nairobi crowd.
The Oilers capitalized on Matero’s second-half slump with superior fast-break points, outpacing the Zambians 39-19.
They also showcased sharp perimeter shooting, sinking 16-of-38 from beyond the arc.
Despite Matero grabbing one more offensive rebound, the Oilers converted their second-chance opportunities into an 18-6 scoring advantage.
City Oilers forward Petty Parish commended his team’s second-half effort, saying, “I am proud of the guys for the energy we played with when we turned it on defensively. We will carry this momentum into the game against Urunani and aim to neutralize their strengths.”
Matero Magic’s Donovan Lamont Jones acknowledged the Oilers’ dominance but remained optimistic: “We gave our all, but we got out-rebounded and out-hustled. We’ll refocus for our next game against Fox, a team we know well.”
The City Oilers now prepare for a highly anticipated rematch against Urunani, a repeat of the 2022 Elite 16 semi-finals, which the Oilers won.
With both teams unbeaten, the game promises to be a thrilling showdown as the Ugandan champions look to maintain their flawless record.
Matero Magic, meanwhile, will face Fox Basketball Club, hoping to salvage some pride in their final group-stage encounter.
