Last season, Warriors acquired a 250M sponsorship from tycoon Jack Pemba and instantly hired the services of former Falcons coach Sam Obol, relegating Ronnie Mutebi to the assistant role, a job he had held under Gad Eteu.
Obol came with new players to add to the team and Warriors set their eye on making the finals to be able to play at the Zone V Clubs Championship, it didn’t happen.
Despite winning game one of their quarterfinal playoff with UCU Canons, the Kyambogo based outfit fell in the last two games to bow out.
Obol has since been fired and Mutebi has been handed the mantle of taking Warriors places with the new signings made.
Ready for action
Because of his diminutive physique, Mutebi can easily be undermined by those who have not seen him take charge of a basketball game. His understanding of the game is definitely not proportional to his size.
Handed full responsibility of the team this coming season, Mutebi is ready to show Ugandan basketball the good coach he is.
“I am very ready for the challenge and can’t wait for the season,” Mutebi told Kawowo Sports after his team’s 74-57 loss in the final of the UCU invitational tournament.
Despite the loss to UCU in the finals, Mutebi believes he has a team good enough to challenge for the title when the season tips off later this month.
“The team is now balanced and we just have a few pieces to add and we will be good to go,” he said.
Assisted by Steven Okias, Mutebi has got the resources required to compete for silverware this year.
Ivan Enabu, Marial Anyuit, Eric Malinga and Nigerian Ahmed Temitope have all been released by the club that seeks big strides not only in Uganda but in the region.
New-look
In a bid to compete with the best – City Oilers, Warriors had to go the extra mile in their recruitment, and they did.
Former Falcons player Mike Bazangu, Said Amisi, Aaron Ajjo, Daniel Gaaki and Development League wonder boy Stanley Mugerwa are no ordinary additions to the side.
“I feel we are a better team on paper but we have to show up when it matters most,” Mutebi said of the team.
While Warriors lost some of the players, they maintain the core of the team from the previous season.
Philip Ameny, arguably the team’s best player last season, Mark Opio, Ceaser Kizito and Syrus Kiviiri are all still with the side and will compete for minutes with the new militia.
Having expressed desire to compete both in Uganda and in the zone last year, the new signing hand Warriors the chance to dare and dream.