City Oilers, Petro de Luanda face off today as BAL 2023 starts

Basketball Africa League

Oilers v Petro de Luanda

City Oilers coach Mandy Juruni is optimistic that his side will put up a strong fight when they open their Basketball Africa League (BAL) campaign against Angola’s Petro de Luanda today in Cairo.

Oilers are making their debut in the tournament, and they will need to finish in the top four places in the Nile Conference to qualify for BAL playoffs.

They made it to the BAL 2023 season after beating Burundi’s Urunani 71-62 in the third-place playoffs in the Road to Bal Elite 16 Division East Group F in Johannesburg last year.

“We are happy to be playing at this stage and it’s an honour to be representing our country. We hope to do well in the tournament and qualify for the next round,” noted Juruni.

Oilers captain James Okello is equally confident that the boys have made good preparations ahead of the competition and they cannot wait to step on the court.

“Having won all our matches in the home league, it’s a huge boost to the team. We are looking good as a team, our confidence levels are high, and we are ready for the competition.” reasoned Okello.

After opening their campaign against Petro de Luanda, the Oilers will also play against Al Ahly Sporting Club to close their April fixtures.

In May, they will continue the run with a game against Seydou Legacy Athletique, club Ferroviario, and Cape Town Tigers.

The Oilers who lifted the 2016 and 2017 FIBA Africa Zone V clubs’ championships have also made a huge mark on the international stage with appearances in the 2019 FIBA Africa clubs champions cup.

BAL is the first Pan African professional basketball league with a partnership between the National Basketball Association (NBA) and the International Basketball Federation (FIBA).