Fayed Baale and Joel Lukoji Banza combined for a strong all-around performance to lead City Oilers to a 74-65 victory over the Namuwongo Blazers in the opening game of the 2026 National Basketball League season Friday night at Lugogo Indoor Arena.
The matchup marked the first time Baale and Banza featured on the same backcourt after years of fan debate comparing the two guards.
Banza completed a high-profile transfer from Namuwongo to the Oilers in January, a move that drew significant attention and helped attract a large crowd to the season opener.
The duo justified the excitement, controlling the tempo from the opening tip and moving the ball efficiently against their former rivals.
Baale was particularly effective from long range, knocking down multiple 3-pointers, many of them set up by Banza.
Baale finished as the game’s leading scorer with 20 points. Banza added 12 points, while Laundry Ndikumana contributed 17 to round out a balanced scoring effort for the Oilers.
Namuwongo struggled to keep pace offensively despite a late push. Peter Obleng led the Blazers with 11 points, while Moses Mugisha added 10 in the losing effort.
The win gives City Oilers a positive start to their title campaign as the 2026 NBL season tips off in Kampala.
