A1 CHALLENGE GRIND VITAL RESULT WINNING GAME TWO [58:48]

The quarter final berth has on both occasions been a display of guts above all else. Often times resilience is a key ingredient to success.

The Team overcame a 19pt deficit to eventually win the game by 10 points!!! Very shaky start that saw first quarter end with 17 - 3.

The second quarter was a continuation of KIU's resilience seeing them end 34 - 17, KIU lead. The A1 Challenge Ladies restricted KIU Rangers to only 5 pts in the third quarter and themselves scoring 19.

In the final quarter, Rangers scored no more than 9pts and 23 for A1 Challenge. For showing character.

Character has seen the A1 ship sail past the KIU test. Next up UCU Lady Canons are waiting in the semis. If ever character, team work, precision and defensive discipline are to come into plat, it is now.

>>>NEXT FIXTURE<<<
>>SEMI FINALS PLAY OFFS<<
A1 Challenge Vs UCU Lady Canons
[Best Of Five Semi Finals]

A1 CHALLENGE DO JUST ENOUGH TO WIN GAME ONE 54:46 (A1 LEAD THE BEST OF THREE SERIES 1-0)

The FUBA-Airtel play-off games got under yesterday and with the mens game being telecast live on TV being, the ladies game was pushed to an unconventional tee-off time of 09:30pm.


A1 Challenge fielded an unchanged squad from the side that played and humbled the same KIU Rangers outfit in their final regular season game.

Game stats aside both teams struggled to get their free flowing basketball in rhythm and the game came down to simple things like hard defense, and accuracy on the free point line.

KIU's Amito and Ayo Judith had flashes of what we know them for resilience and shooting accuracy respectively. But it took a determined A1 Challenge defense to limit them to the meagre score and do the simple basics.

An bizzare hit on captain on Vickie Ntale and an even more awkward fall by Agnes Nantongo did little to hamper the mental determination in the A1 camp.

The display was wanting and mistakes have to be corrected come game II on Tuesday.
Missing in action was assistant captain Mugasha Carol Katumba who is ill and Kyamazima Dorothy who is away.

Game II is on Tuesday and the ladies will be looking to wrap this, hopefully convincingly this time around.

#ForTheLoveAndTheChallenge #GameOne #A1win54:46

A1 Challenge Player Profiles

A1 Challenge Player Profiles

A1 Challenge Player Profiles

#A1 Player Profiles

A1 Challenge See Off KIU Rangers

KIU RANGERS: 44
A1 CHALLENGE: 63

In an evening enveloped by a sense of closure to the league, we saw regular season curtains are drawn as A1 Challenge was called upon to announce their presence as the KIU Rangers test came knocking.

KIU Rangers saw off Nabisunsa Girls in their previous game well as A1 Challenge saw off KCCA Leopards in their previous game. There was more than just bragging rights at stake in this game, little wonder the hustle and fight on every 50-50 ball.

Both teams went neck to neck till a stroke of tactical brilliance in the thrid quarter,when the guards were instructed to switch to man to man defense which sterilized the Nansobya Judith's shooting threat which left the team with the case of a resilient workaholic in Nanyonga Florence which was hugely contained in the third quarter.

Ms. Okot Barbara had an almost flawless defensive display together with her replacement in Nakazibwe Sylvia, and in the same breath Nantongo Agnes 9pts and 12rebs can't go without mention.

KIU Rangers had their top threat Nansobya Judith sinking 10pts and had Nanyonga Florence score 12pts and Nakabubi Aisha bag 11pts to her name.

Coach Jeff Omondi who congratulated the ladies for the win, but highlighted that when playing offense the team needs to switch to offense mode and likewise when in defense the entire team has to switch to defense mode.

Also the fact that he was done with excuses because they are going to cost the team if they keep coming up. And resounding the fact that the little things will be punished in this play off format.

He reiterated that the team know they can play real well which is testament when you look at the run in to the end of the regular season, but individually there has to be a burden on each player to better elements of their game, be it shooting or defense or precision offensively. Ass. Mavita Ali highlighted the fact that the team ought to start contesting the shots and be a unit on and off the court.

Kudos were passed on to Ms. Hatima Kassim who nailed a double double with a game high 22points and picking 10rebs and has been firing on all cylinders. With the form that she is on, and the team playing with that immense confidence and resilience, we are in for one hell of a play-off season. Closely assisted by Birungi Mariam with 13points and Ms. Olivia Mulwana with 10point, whose jump shot brought the game to a close.

POSITIVES:
Ntale Vickie able to play despite being ill for an entire week. We wish you well captain, quick recovery.
Different players owning up to the responsibility of carrying the team, which is a huge plus because it adds the unpredictability element especially to our opponents, and reduces over reliance in one or two players.
#ForTheLoveOfTheGame
PLAY OFF SEASON IS HERE......SEE YOU SOON

A1 Challenge Seek To Wrap Up Regular Season In Style Against KIU Rangers...

A1 Challenge having started the season in the worst possible way, seek to end it leaving a resounding buzz. Having come close against Lady Canons ending [60:55], they went on to humble the defending champions 48hrs after [75:70], with a scintillating team display from the A1 Challenge camp.

KIU Rangers held on to win against Nabisunsa following a resurgence from Lokwameri Zainah and her troops nailing 30points to her name but weren't enough to save them. Notable assassins in Nansobya Judith, Atulinda Moreen, Nanyonga Florence and Nakabubi Aisha.

A1 Challenge humbled KIU Rangers [45:31] on 17 July 2013, and were shocked [44:42] in a reverse fixture which left a sour taste in the A1 camp. Since then, they've picked up their momentum and maintained their consistency and resilience.

In the absence of Liz Bazira, Khisa Marie and Karo Kasukye, A1 Challenge has gelled and since stabilized their camp, striking a balance between Nakazibwe Sylvia, Nakamoga Bridget and Kyalimazima Dorothy's youthful enthusiasm and pedigree in Olivia Mulwana, Barbra Okot, Birungi Mariam and of course Captain Ntale Vickie.


Tomorrow's game against KIU Rangers see's a familiar face in Nagitta Fredrickah face off her former club. It will be interesting to see how she responds to this.

:::NEXT WEEK::: PLAY OFFS BEGIN
:::A1 CHALLENGE RUN IN FORM COMING TO THIS GAME:::
W,W,W,W,L,W

A1 CHALLENGE MAKE A STATEMENT BY DEFEATING DEFENDING CHAMPIONS WITH PLAYOFFS LOOMING...

In a Wednesday fixture schedule, Independence was full of statements being made with the playoffs round the corner. Prior to this game, Ndejje University Angels beat up on DMark Power [67:61]. And don't you think this was a one-off result, A1 Challenge 48hours after a fight staged up on Lady canons, one would think fatigue would get the better of the ladies, but oops guess they were in for a stunner.

The seed of belief, hustle, team work and resilience that have been time and again sown in the ladies has began bearing fruit, at least we can see the fruits getting ripe.

Coach Jeff Omondi and Ass. Mavita Ali were delighted upon the win but more so the way the ladies are executing the strategy on training to the real game situations. Movements on and off the ball, as well as pressure on the defense and fighting for each and everything because any mistake could cost one the championship.

This win was dedicated to the relentless efforts by each and every lady wearing an A1 Challenge jersey. Hard work pays. Especially after Captain Vickie Ntale was having a good game and got fouled, one would be tempted to think that they are going to some how fall short. But they instead came together and stood firm to see of the KCCA pressure with a great team defensive display.

Speaking briefly with Vickie Ntale after the game having inquired about how serious the injury scare was, she responded "what does it matter, we won" and right now we are in jubilation. One day and at time. She managed to score 15 points helping Kassim Hatima who scored 17 points and Olivia Mulwana and Birungi Mariam sinking 11 each.

KCCA Leopards new signing Lamunu Claire scored a game high 22 points closely being helped by Oketcho Flavia with 15 points.

A1 Challenge are left with one more game before playoffs against KIU Rangers who also saw off a resilient fight from Nabisunsa after Lokwameri Zainah's 30 points againt KIU Rangers were not good enough for a Nabisunsa win.


NEXT FIXTURE: >>> A1 CHALLENGE v KIU RANGERS SUNDAY 20TH OCTOBER 2013

A1 CHALLENGE FALL SHORT IN THE LADY CANONS TEST.....55:60

A1 Challenge coming fresh from a convincing mid-week victory over Gladiators showed ruthlessness in their game against the Lady Canons, and at one point it was anyone's game to win but they fell short in the dying seconds.


Namirimu Angella illustrated her lethal 3-pointer shot time and again in powering past the A1 Challenge defense, then the A1 defense had their work cut out, and whatever Coach Jeff Omondi and Ass. Mavita Ali told them brought a new belief.

The A1 Challenge ladies clawed from a 15 point deficit to just 3 points at one stage, leaving the Lady Canons revising their game plan to contain the A1 Challenge resurgence.

A1 Challenge worked their socks off and despite the score sheet there are so many positives to pick and strategize as they face the defending champions in KCCA Leopards come Independence day.With this resilience, match-ups, trash talk and the pre-match hype suffice for just a little.

The tide of this game is surely moving with the team that shows more heart, hustle and precision offensively and aggressiveness defensively.

#LDYCANONSA1CHALLENGE

A1 CHALLENGE OVERCOME SLOW START TO ACE GLADIATORS [63:44]

A1 CHALLENGE: 63 GLADIATORS: 44


A very wet and chilly day wasn't going to come in between this #190 fixture, A1 Challenge had to overcome a slow start to see off the Gladiators.

Having heard of the common quote of how score sheets sometimes flatter to deceive and do not tell the real story, but the athleticism of the Gladiators ladies especially Joan was quite a handful to the A1 Challenge defense which took a while to stabilize.


A1 Challenge will have to work on avoiding slow starts, especially seeing that UCU Lady Canons are coming to town on Sunday which calls for departmental awakening both offensively and defensively. Ntale Victoria led by example with 20 points to her name, with Kassim Hatima and Mariam Birungi scoring 9 a piece and Nantongo Agnes 8 points.


Having said all this, Ms. Mulwana Olivia engineered and controlled all the movement and strategy of the team. Her calm exuberance and experience is surely evident when she calls the shots. She also sank vital 3-pointers scoring 8 points.

:::::NEXT FIXTURE::::: UCU LADY CANONS Vs A1 CHALLENGE SUNDAY 6TH OCTOBER 2013

A1 Challenge Look To Ace Gladiator test...

A1 CHALLENGE FACE GLADIATOR TEST

A1 Challenge ladies look to save Coach Jeff Omondi a few blushes when they encounter Part III of the Gladiator test.

Not so long ago in the month of September, i believe it was the 8th, A1 Challenge took the day with a 20 point game difference[58:38]. This season's fault start had seen the ladies fall to a bizarre position on the table.

However, the recent resurgence in form, registering wins against Nabisunsa, Gladiators and Magic Stormers, Team A1 Challenge seek to finish the second round hard. Who knows the level of confidence this will bring with play offs not so far away...

Stay in touch as we bring you the action live as it happens in the YMCA Courts, lets pray that the Kampala rains won't wash out the courts thoroughly.


#BringYourGameFace

ANBL Standings as of 20th September 2013

A1 Challenge Run Riot Over Nabisunsa [67:32]

A1 CHALLENGE: 67 NABISUNSA: 32 In a game that was delayed due to the heavy Kampala down pour considering the fact that it was re-scheduled in the YMCA open court, one would think weariness and sluggishness would get the better of the players but when the whistle was blown, their game faces were activated. With the pretty wet surface, we saw a couple of awkward landings and falls from Ms. Bagiire Dorcus and Nalubega Maggie, but when that was done and dusted, it was business as usual. Nabisunsa were without their inspirational player in Lokwameri Angel, but one could say the same for A1 Challenge who had notable absentees, most recognizable was Ms. Nakazibwe Sylvia, Ms. Aggie, Carol Mugasha to mention but a few. Bazira Liz led the offense with 16 points and had help from Ms. Olivia Mulwana who scored 14 points and Nalubega Maggie and Captain Ntale Victoria scored 10 a piece, to leave Nabisunsa Girls licking their wounds. This victory boosts the A1 Challenge confidence as they face Magic Stormers who are coming off a loss from KIU Rangers. This Sunday it's lightening bolt action. See you there. ::::NEXT GAME:::: MAGIC STORMERS v A1 CHALLENGE

A1 CHALLENGE 58:38 GLADIATORS

I'm reminded of this quote especially when i think of this win....."“Everything happens for a reason. I’m used to it, I prepare for it. Like I say, at the end of the day, those in charge of their own destiny are going to do what’s right for them and their family.” "

Happy Birthday Karo Kakkazi

I hope that today is the beginning of another wonderful year for you. Happy birthday.

STORMERS COMPLETE ONE-TWO ON A1 CHALLENGE, IN A CLOSE FACE OFF...

#GAME TWO ROUND TWO MAGIC STORMERS: 45 A1 CHALLENGE: 44 Following their good start to the second round, A1 Challenge was looking on consolidating their spot on the league table top 4. However, Magic Stormers came with an anti-dote for all that. A team known so well for their constant hustle in the game, had Nyafwono Carol to thank after nailing 14points to her name. Hatima Kassim had 13 points to her name for the A1 Challenge outfit who on the day struggled to impose themselves and play the way we best know they can. The salt in the wound was when Hatima Kassim, Liz Bazira and Nakazibwe Sylvia were all fouled out. This is one of the painful ones we have to pick ourselves from. Captain Ntale Vickie in sombre moods said silly mistakes cost the team. This loss sees Magic Stormers complete a back to back defeat on the A1 Challenge team. However, the current format of this league has one more fixture of the two to come up, and A1 Challenge if not for anything have to put a performance for prides sake. Coach Jeff Omondi and Mavita Ali will be out to fix the broken piece in the A1 game to avoid lackluster displays and ensure a solid finish to the regular season prior to the end of the second season. #fortheloveandthechallenge #thebestisyettocome

A1 Challenge Game One AND Game Two In Brief......

#GAME ONE IN ROUND II A1 CHALLENGE: 60 MUK SPARKS: 40 A1 Challenge began their second round with resurgence from Kassim Hatima whose power drives could not be stopped which was combined with some immense shooting from Ms. Mulwana Olivia. Not the prettiest of wins but we will take it any how, and learn from the mistakes. #fortheloveandthechallenge

Happy Birthday Capt. Vickie Ntale...

On this special day we join our Captain Ntale Vickie and celebrate with her on this her birthday. Happy Birthday Capi Vickie.  


You are and continue to be ......a LEADER.



L- Lead by example

E- Energy & Enthusiasmis relentless

A- Analytical in thought

D- Dedicated and you deliver

E- Exceptional display and experience can't go without mention

R- Resilience and Respect is what you are all about.


Many more dear....... Have a splendid one.

#happybirthdaydearvickiehappybirthday2you

FUBA-Airtel League Standings....

Questions:

• Where are we?
• Where do we desire to be?
• What are we going to do about it?

SECOND ROUND:

A1 CHALLENGE  vs  MUK SPARKS  @ 5:30PM [Lugogo Indoor Sports Arena]

#thehusslebegins

PS:Where Your Game Face @ ?

All Stars List Unveiled......

Congrats to the A1 Challenge players that made it to the All Star list. Make us proud y'all

Women: (UGANDA)

1. Angella Namirimu (UCU Lady Canons)
2. Flavia Oketcho (KCCA Leopards)
3. Judith Nansobya (KIU Rangers)
4. Maureen Amoding (UCU Lady Canons)
5. Hatima Kassim (A1 Challenge)
6. Victoria Nantale (A1 Challenge)
7. Monica Siima (KCCA Leopards)
8. Claire Lamunu (KCCA Leopards)
9. Carol Nyafwono (Magic Stormers)
10. Elizabeth Kiiza (A1 Challenge)
11. Martha Soigi (KCCA Leopards)
12. Peace Proscovia (UCU Lady Canons)

Women: (INTERNATIONAL)

1. Evelyn Adhiambo (UCU Lady Canons)
2. Brenda Mbone (UCU Lady Canons)
3. Mishi Jomane (Crane High Ladies)
4. Ashura Jahid (Crane High Ladies)
5. Virginia Awino (UCU Lady Canons)
6. Aurore Irakoze (KIU Rangers)
7. Nasra Uwamahoro (Magic Stormers)
8. Gudbjorg Hakonardottir (A1 Challenge)
9. Aisha Kamana (Magic Stormers)
10. Marion Esther (Nkumba Lady Marines)
11. Lorraine Akinyi (UCU Lady Canons)
12. Purity Odhiambo (UCU Lady Canons

#fortheloveandthechallenge

Wrap Up Of Round One......

The 2013-14 FUBA-Airtel basketball league round one's curtains were drawn last week, and A1 Challenge finished with 3 straight wins. And the overall performance indicator showed A1 Challenge having played 11 games in the first round, ending on a 5-6 run.


Coming from a dreadful start, of three straight losses and finishing with three straight wins, now that's what i call a shaking up/ wake up call.

Point to note is that the competition gets tighter when it comes to the cream de la' cream, and by this i am talking of Lady Canons, KCCA Leopards and probably Magic Stormers. And that is where A1 Challenge have to go to the drawing board and work out a strategy to go hard, throughout the second round into playoffs.

A good position guarantees better draw and match-up in the playoffs which could (with discipline, hardwork, guts, teamwork and heart) translate into the championship, who am i not to dream of a second title, after doing almost an Arsenal since 2005.

Finishing 4th by the end of June, and ending the first round on a high, would give the ladies massive confidence come round two.

The second half of the first round saw A1 Challenge come out really focused, with Coach Jeff Omondi and assistant Mavita Ali trying orchestrate a championship winning formulae.


Everyone of our players has to really get locked into what we were trying to do, so much so that it's infectious; and the entire team gets caught up hence making everybody on the team better.


A1 Challenge will look forward to a productive second round and a shot at the playoff finals as II round action will begin as early as 2nd August.


Be sure to visit a1challengediary.blogspot.com for their schedule and results.

Wrap up run from the first round:
::::::L L L W L LW L W W W


::::::A1 CHALLENGE SECOND ROUND FIXTURE SCHEDULE::::::


SUNDAY 4TH AUG 2013:  Vs  MAKERERE SPARKS, 5:30PM @ LUGOGO INDOOR STADIUM

FRIDAY 9TH AUG 2013:  Vs  MAGIC STORMERS, 6:30PM @ LUGOGO INDOOR STADIUM

SUNDAY 18TH AUG 2013:  Vs  NABISUNSA, 11:30AM @ LUGOGO INDOOR STADIUM



 

A1 Challenge Match On Past Nabisunsa Girls....53:32

An intensely hot Sunday mid morning kick off saw last minute changes in the venue of the FUBA-Airtel games and this particular contest was pushed to the KIU Outdoor courts. Kick off began at 11:30am. This was the first time this season that these two clubs were facing off with both teams relishing their chances.


The first quarter was important to A1 if they were going to  make a statement in this contest. And they did by stretching their points on the board from the on-set. With the the quarter ending 18:9.


The second quarter was more of continuation of where we had stopped for A1 Challenge further leading it 11:4.

Nabisunsa's Lokwameri Angella and Atuhaire Ritah combined to close in on the third quarter which ended 13 all.

A1 Challenge further extended its lead by the end of the fourth quarter which eventually ended 11:6.


By the final whistle, A1 Challenge had taken their foot off the gas to maintain a decent score sheet. This is A1 Challenges 3 victory of the season and they'll take all the positives from this encounter as they look to finish the first round on a high.


Nabisunsa's Lokwameri Angellah scored a game high 14 points but that's all there was in the Nabisunsa outfit. Coach Samanya Emma surely ought to look for ways of engaging other players to keep the score board ticking and match the efforts of their most senior player, despite the fact that it's a new team trying to gel and re-construct chemistry and synergy as a unit.

Coach Jeff Omondi and Ass. Mavita will be taking all the lessons from this game and try to work on geling more and being more efficient seeing that A1 Challenge has drafted a couple of new players in Nakamoga Bridget, Nandaula Shadia and Ms. Gudbjorg, synergy going forward into the mid season is key.

::::A1 PLAYER STATS::::

Ntale Vickie--------9points
Bazira Liz-----------12points
Hatima Kassim-----7points
Shadia Nandaula---8points

::::NABISUNSA PLAYER STATS::::

Lokwameri Angella-----14points
Atuhaire Ritah------------6points
Nakitto Remmie----------4points





::::A1 CHALLENGE'S NEXT FIXTURE::::

Gladiators 14th JULY 2013 @ 17:30hrs YMCA Court
KIU Rangers 17th JULY 2013 @ 18:30hrs Lugogo Court


For The Love & The Challenge

#80::::::NABISUNSA GRILS v A1 CHALLENGE::::::::SUNDAY 13:30HRS

 @NABISUNSA.A1CHALLENGE



Sunday mid morning see's Nabisunsa clash against A1 Challenge. In a season marred
by mixed results, both teams look at this as an opportunity to trigger consistency.


Nabisunsa which is in a rebuilding phase for atleast most of the squad will look to step
up their performance against A1 Challenge, coming off a 87:26 mauling by the defending
champions, KCCA Leopards. Coach Samanya Emma will have seasoned players in Zainah Lokwameri and Ritah Atuhaire to try engineer a winning formulae.



A1 Challenge, however, following a spirited fight though eventually losing to last years
finalists UCU Lady Canons 60:52 in last weeks game.

Ntale Victoria, Birungi Mariam, Liz Bazira and Nantongo Aggie will be relishing this fixture
and take nothing for granted.

Coach Jeff Omondi and his close technical assistant Ms. Mavita Ali will we presume look to give some of their newly drafted players a run in on this game. Players like Bagiire Dorcus, Nakamoga Bridget should be able to have some running time in the game. Ms. Olivia Mulwana and Heartma Kassim should be able to lead on the assault against

We are also hoping that the team depth will be a vital aspect and that the players will come to
 the party when opportunity when it comes knocking.

Team news is almost not different; we expect to have Ms. Nakazibwe Sylvia back.



:::NABISUNSA LIKELY SQUAD:::

SHARON GUBAMWOYO
RACHEAL ACHIENG
MAIMONA NABOSA
FAITH APIO
ZAINAH LOKWAMERI
SHARIFAH NAKIGUDDE
SHEILA APOLOT
REMMIE NAKITO
TEDDY ATEGEKA
TWALLA CHEPKWEMOI
RITAH ATUHAIRE
CHANTAL ACENG



:::A1 CHALLENGE:::



NALUBEGA MARGRET
NTALE VICTORIA
MUGASHA CAROL
NAKAMOGA BRIDGET
LIZ BAZIRA
NANTONGO AGNES
OLIVIA MULWANA
BIRUNGI MARIAM
KHISA MERY
HATIMA KASIM
BARBARA OKOT
GUDBJORG HAKARDOTTIR

 

#Taking each day as it comes

::::LADY CANONS HARD FOUGHT WIN AGAINST SPIRITED A1 CHALLENGE DISPLAY::::

>>>> UCU LADY CANONS   60:52   A1 CHALLENGE  <<<<<


18:00 hours was kick off time. Lady Canons bench started a little short in numbers with Ms. Lorraine Akinyi arriving later on in the second quarter and the services of Peace Proscovia were not available for the game seeing that she had traveled with the National Volleyball Team to defend the Continental title that they won last year in Malawi.


A1 Challenge were also without their flamboyant guard Ms. Nakazibwe Sylvia who was unavailable for selection together with Kyamazima Dorothy.        


Action got underway and the first quarter was epic but again wasn't the whole game, keeping the basketball fans watching on the edge of their seats.


A1 Challenge took the first quarter [17:14] starting real hard and Lady Canons came back to take the second quarter [9:16] and believe you, me it was where the A1 Challenge outfit lost the game because the third and fourth quarter they simply switched scores with A1 taking the third quarter [18:15] and Lady Canons taking the last quarter [15:18].

 
Ms. Purity Adhiambo led the offense with a game high 25 points though if you ask me umpires have to get into the game more considering the "dirty-play" that goes on around her game.

Veteran Brenda Mbone came in to assist with 11 points to help the Lady Canons win this pretty close encounter.

A1 Challenge approached this game with a winners mentality and if you ask me they didn't deserved to be on the losing side. 

Captain Ntale Vickie scored 19 points and had an almost flawless game being lethal on the paint and was helped offensively by Ms. Mariam Birungi with an all-out performance scoring 13 points. Much as the technical team may demand more support on the score board from the bench, it's the "not-famous" column of the stat sheet which may be the turning point to their fortunes this time around.


Having 32 turnovers compared to Lady Canons 24, i believe was the focal point of this match. Maintaining that winning mentality they had in addition to having a high level of concentration throughout the game is what will propel the team to the top, currently placed at number 6 on the table.

Defensively, Aggie Nantongo, Birungi Mariam, Liz Bazira and Gudbjorg Hakardottir gelling well and with a little meanness and tight play, it's just but a matter of time and the dream will be alive again.


::::A1 Player Stats::::   

Maggie::::::5
Gudbi:::::::2
Barbara::::0
Kassim:::::4
Khisa:::::::0
Mariam:::::13
Olivia:::::::2
Agnes:::::::5
Liz:::::::::::2
Bridget::::::0
Carol::::::::0
Vickie:::::::19


:::NEXT A1 CHALLENGE GAME:::

Vs   NABISUNSA on Sunday 30.June.2013 at 13:30hrs

:::::Nabisunsa    26:86 KCCA Leopards :::::
:::::DMark         86:59 Charging Rhinos ::::
:::::Heaters      51:70 City Oil :::::
:::::Vegetarians 58:83 Warriors :::::::


Have a lovely week. God Bless.

#74 UCU LADY CANONS vs A1 CHALLENGE

Sunday evening unveils one of those competitive fixtures that the FUBA-Airtel Basketball can offer in a @LDY.A1C face off.


Barely 3 weeks since Lady Canons saw off the A1 Challenge in a 67:34, with Ms. Angellah Namirimu leading the offense on a game high 15points and getting assistance from Ms. Adhiambo Purity 10points.


A1 Challenge seek vindication on this exact game which is going to be a really tough one to pull off. Whose to say that this is not possible? Ms. Nantongo Agnes has a lot to do in as far as assisting Mrs. Bazira Liz and the team generally, by stopping big men Ms. Peace Proscovia and Purity Adhiambo and Ms. Lorraine Akinyi.

A mean defense will go so much in deciding who takes this one but also the strength that the bench brings into the game will play a big role in deciding this fixture.

:::::FLASH BACK:::::

@A1 Challenge:Ms. Bazira Liz [10pts], Dorothy Kyamazima[7pts], Ms. Ntale Vickie [7pts]

@LadyCanons:Ms. Angella [15pts],Ms. Purity Adhiambo [10],Frances [7pts],Lorraine [7pts]

::::SCORING SHEET::::


Coach Jeff Omondi will have to engineer a strategy to off set the Lady Canons unbeaten thus far.


Kick Off 23rd JUNE 2013, 18:00hrs at Lugogo Indoor Auditorium.

 

A1 GIVE MAVITA ALI PERFECT BIRTHDAY GIFT. A1 CHALLENGE 57:34 MUK SPARKS

A1 Challenge gave their assistant coaching staff in Ms. Mavita Ali Mowzey a great birthday gift by humbling Makerere Sparks which marks their second win in the 2013/14 season.

This has been a tough start to the season for the 2005 champions. But there's no ruling out what they can do if they put their minds to it.

Liz Bazira scored a game high 17 points leading the onslaught against the Sparks outfit who missed the services of their most experienced player in Ms. Mirembe Susan. 

Nababuza Treasure stepped up to the plate but could only push the Sparks so far, scoring 10points.

A1 Challenge combined efforts offensively which saw them rally past Sparks with Barbra Okot,Nantongo Agnes, Ntale Vickie,  and Mugasha Carol scoring 9,8,8,7 points respectively and ensuring that nothing was going to come between them and the party-mode in the camp.

Also the A1 Camp acquired the services of Gudbjorg Hakonardottir for a period of time and this will go so far in increasing the squad depth which comes in handy. 

This being the second win for A1 Challenge following their loss to Lady Canons last week can go so much in boosting their confidence levels.

On behalf of the team we say happy birthday Ms. Mavita Ali

Birthday Appreciation to Ms. Barbra Okot

 













 
Each year your Birthday reminds us,
That we really want to say,
We're very glad we know you,
 Think of you each day.


We hope you enjoy your Birthday,
All the pleasures it has in store,
And because we appreciate you.
Happy birthday, one more time,
We hope you have many more.

A1 CHALLENGE BAG FIRST WIN OF THE SEASON.

@A1 CHALLENGE  62:40  MAKERERE SPARKS

Birungi Mariam led the on-slaught against Makerere Sparks with a game high 13 points.

 
A1 Challenge return to their intense routine training with optimism after bagging their first 2013/14 season win. Truly testament to the fact that tough times never last. 

Having gone 0-3, losing to KCCA Leopards, Magic Stormers and most recently KIU Rangers, the nuts had to be tightened and intensity was turned on right from the whistle sound.

As if the win wasn’t enough, A1 guard Nakazibwe Sylvia stirred up the crowd having come on court with about 6 seconds remaining in the first quarter only to sink a buzzer beating shot from the centre of the court, for the play-of-the-day most definitely.

By half time the score was at [38:16] making it easy for Coach Jeff Omondi to easily rotate the players while resting his starting five. A1 Challenge led the first, second and fourth quarter to seal the victory.

With their next game against KCCA Leopards on Sunday, it was important for their confidence that they bagged this win. Having played decently against KCCA Leopards despite the loss, they will grab on to this opportunity as a chance to serve the defending champions a taste of their own medicine and really cold.

However, this is not an easy task to ask. As lethal as they have to be offensively, defense will win this one if you ask me. So the question is how tight can they be at the back and how precise are they going to be when executing offense?

It’s important to note that there were improvements in the shooting overall as opposed to their previous two games which is a plus. They averaged 66.7% to 42.9% in the shooting department.

Also defensively, the steals and turnover numbers were much improved. Against the big opponents, it’s these little details that make all the difference, as was the case with Rangers [52:54] loss.

Birungi Mariam scored a game high 13 points, closely assisted by Okot Barbra with 12 and Agnes Nantongo with 11 points.

Sparks side, which is clearly in transition having lost a number of players in the off season, had Mirembe Susan and Chemutai Joy score 11points each. In case you were wondering YES this is the Chemutai Joy formerly of Nabisunsa Girls. Come to think of it the Sparks side recruited massively from Nabisunsa with players like Joy Chemutai, Ashaba Maggie and Nababuza Treasure [small guard] all joining from Nabisunsa Girls School.

Makerere Sparks side have to go back to the drawing board and figure out a winning formula seeing that this Friday graces us with an all-university show down between Sparks and Rangers.
 

A1 Challenge next face KCCA Leopards [2-June-2013] at Lugogo Indoor Stadium

 

@a1challenge.makereresparks

Match Day IV
@a1challenge.makereresparks


One basketball great once said,"To learn to succeed, you must first learn to fail."


Well having said that, A1 Challenge having lost three in three approach this game with extreme caution and purpose. This comes close to one of the worst starts to a basketball season for the 2005 Champions.


The game originally slated for 17:30hrs on Sunday has of course since been pulled forward to 15:30hrs with the venue also being changed from Lugogo Indoor Arena to YMCA Courts,
 


Olivia Mulwana has been sparkling with consistency in her play though it counts for little considering the 3 losses. Also worthy of a mention is Nantongo Agnes who has been making the most of whats been given to her. 


With Bazira Liz and Lokidi Angella out of the picture for now, Ntale Vickie has had to help in the putting of scores to the board.


Makerere Sparks has come a long way this season, having lost Kalanguka Bridget to Magic Stormers and Karungi Charlyn to KCCA Leopards and Hellen who is off the game for now. They have had to depend on one or two recruits from their junior side Cubs.


Sparks with a [62:35] win to their name against Gladiators face winless A1 Challenge, who are going to come out hard to snap out of this jinx....lets hope.


A1 Challenge will have to look towards their more experienced players in Mulwana Olivia, Okot Barbra, Ntale Vickie and Agnes Nantongo for inspiration, because if there's one thing we know its that a win is long over due.

Also the fact that points have to be shared across the starting five and off the bench. 


The slow start/finish to the game, is a luxury they can not afford to deal with right now. Intensity, Team work, precision in execution and resilience is what's going to spring up the first win. Easier said than done.....hmmmmm.


A1Cha