Miracle Eaglets want to put up a formidable challenge in the forthcoming season of the 2023 National Basketball League.
Ahead of their second season in top flight, the Eaglets unveiled seven new players on Tuesday during an event in Rubaga.
The new signings include experienced Susan Amito from Angels and Maureen Atulinda.
Denis Tekitendwa (Angels), Pauline Nabatanzi (last featured for UMU Ravens), Lilian Mbabazi (Watoto Girls), Aisha Lunkuse (Unattached) and Margaret Nassali (JT Lady Jaguars).
Coach Arnold Katabi who was flanked his assistant Joel Kizza during the unveiling, was beaming with confidence going into the new season.
Katabi, who doubles as the FUBA Vice President for Marketing and Publicity, said that his side is now good to go.
“We have very serious ambitions for this season and that is to compete,” Katabi told the Journalists.
“But our immediate objective is to better our standings for last season, we all know that last season was our debut in top flight and we managed to get a playoff berth last season in the NBL and our goal is to better that.
“If we can reach the playoffs again and move past the first hurdle and reach the Semis then we can see how to move on from there.”
It’s strong to remember that Miracle finished 6th last season in the regular season with a 8-10 record before falling to KIU Rangers in the playoffs.
“We have beefed the squad with youth and experience, we have carefully selected our players and they will be able to add a lot of character and mentality. For the young players, we are looking at the future as well.”
The Club let go of eight players including guard Brenda Nakitenda.
Brenda Alyano, Lillian Cherotich and Winifred Akello are among the five players that have been retained from the squad that featured last season.
“We are not big in number but big at heart,” Katabi commented on his 12-player squad.
“I believe we are going to compete very fairly and strongly starting with our opener against Angels. We had a good run at UCU Invitational tournament earlier and the players are good to go.
“We have been going through good sessions and they are happy to be part of this project. The players are raring to go.”
Katabi has been working with some players since end of January, with sessions in strength and conditioning, speed, agility and gym sessions.
“We have not had many practice games but we had a good run at UCU Open but the team chemistry is very good and it can just get better with time. I believe the team is ready and players are highly motivated to play.”
Katabi is happy with the new additions but there is inevitably scepticism bordering on fear of how much can Atulinda give after giving birth recently.
“I wanted Momo since last season before she was tied at KIU Rangers, and it’s good she has finally joined us,” Katabi added.
“I am sure she has a point to prove, she has been doing well in trainings and what we have given her is a platform to prove some people wrong.
“I was looking for size, and just like Amito, they can fight for rebounds. All these new signings can fight for the team.
“The league is not braced with size so if you can get two or three players with this size, I believe you can position yourself among competitors.”
Last year’s finalists UCU Lady Canons and JKL Lady Dolphins will be the teams to beat, but the addition of JT Lady Jaguars who are fresh from winning Division One makes the title contest interesting.
KIU Rangers and KCCA Leopards will pose the questions, and coach Katabi is confident that he can too join the mix.
“I believe we can compete with these teams, we fairly competed with them last season. We went toe-to-toe with UCU in the first game and the same can be said of our fixture against KIU.
“JT are a good team, but we are not going to be bullied by a champion of a Lower league. We are coming to play.
“I am confident that we are going to compete, these girls have a lot of potential, we have a lot of belief in God and our abilities.”
The Summary:
Players Who left – Nakitende Brenda, Nakkazi Vyna, Apio Faith, Nerima Emily, Apio Phiona, Aketch Christine, Nanvubya Eronie, Naggita Christine
New Signings – Amito Susan (Angels), Denise Tekitendwa (Angels), Maureen Atulinda (KIU Rangers), Pauline Nabatanzi (Last played for UMU), Lillian Mbabazi Watoto, Aisha Lunkuse (Unattached), Margaret Nassali (JT Lady Jaguars)
Current Players From Last Season – Alyano Brenda, Cherotich Lillian, Akello Winifred, Namukose Specious, Nalukenge Shifah
