Namuwongo Blazers bowed out of the Road to Basketball Africa League Elite 16 East Division after suffering back-to-back defeats at the Kasarani Indoor Arena in Nairobi.
Their campaign closed with a 92-71 loss to South Africa’s Johannesburg Giants on Wednesday night, a result that confirmed their winless run in Group A.
The Ugandan champions started brightly, taking an early 8-2 and later 15-8 lead, but the momentum slipped when Daniel Prinsloo triggered a 16-0 Giants run.
The South African side controlled the paint, finished with a 52-34 advantage inside, punished Blazers on fast breaks with a 34-11 return, and dominated second chance points 20-10.
Blazers tried to respond in phases, with local MVP Joel Lukoji Banza and Peter Obleng connecting from range to momentarily cut the gap in the second quarter, but another late surge from Johannesburg opened a 46-32 halftime lead.
The third quarter offered a glimmer when Sidy Mohamed Djitte sparked a short run to bring Blazers within eight at 58-50, a margin that stayed at 64-56 heading into the final period.
Johannesburg stepped up again in the fourth quarter, moved the ball with efficiency and punished defensive lapses.
Nkosinathi Sandile Sibanyoni posted 16 points and 18 rebounds, with Dhieu Abwok Deing and Lehlogonolo Charles Tholo adding 15 each. Their depth showed in transition, on the boards, and in shot selection.
Djitte led Blazers with 16 points and eight rebounds. Jovan James Mooring followed with 14, while Obleng and Banza added 11 apiece. The team struggled to maintain rhythm, lost battles inside, and conceded open looks as the Giants imposed their physicality.
The loss followed a heavy 89-62 defeat to hosts Nairobi City Thunder in their opening fixture.
Blazers had led 11-5 early in that game through Mooring’s sharp shooting and went toe-to-toe for most of the first half, which ended 43-40 to Thunder.
The second half exposed gaps in transition defense and rebounding. Thunder won 61-47 on the boards, scored 24-8 on fast breaks, and used 20 offensive rebounds to stretch control. A 25-11 third quarter run settled the contest before the hosts closed out a 27-point win.
Namuwongo Blazers leave Nairobi with lessons from their maiden Elite 16 appearance. Their early promise was undone by turnovers, poor defence missed free throws, and struggles to match the physical edge of more seasoned opposition.
For Johannesburg Giants, victory sealed progress from Group A into the semi finals, setting up a matchup with Nairobi City Thunder on Friday for the top spot.
