Namuwongo Blazers dominated Djabal to advance alongside Dar City to the Elite 16 of the Road to BAL 2026. Led by Samuel Obleng’s explosive 39-point performance, the Ugandan side showcased elite shooting and depth in a historic qualifying win.
Last Updated on
October 20, 2025
In a decisive Group D clash, the Ugandan side joined undefeated Dar City in advancing to the final qualifying stage, tentatively set for November. The Blazers become the second Ugandan team to reach this prestigious phase, following the dominance of City Oilers over the last seasons.
Under the guidance of former Oilers player-turned-coach Tony Dribela, the Blazers aim to make their mark on Africa's premier club competition, now in its sixth edition, on debut.
The game was effectively decided early on, as Djabal trailed 10-2 within the first three minutes. Despite a brief rally led by Djoumoi Mohamed and Zakaria Zaher, Blazers quickly asserted control, opening the game with a commanding 31-10 first quarter, fueled by Joel Lukoji Banza's deep threes and Toluwalope Obasa's ten points.
Obleng's quiet first quarter gave way to a scoring explosion in the second, where he poured in 12 points in a 34-14 blitz that saw the Blazers lead by 39 at halftime. The third quarter saw Djabal rally with a 23-21 showing, but the game was already out of reach.
Obleng then took over in the final quarter, pouring in 21 points, including five three-pointers, in a staggering 48-11 run that sealed one of the biggest victories in group phase history. He finished with an incredible 39 points, converting seven of his eight three-point attempts, while remaining perfect from the free-throw line. He also contributed four assists, four steals, and three rebounds, earning a 41-efficiency rating.
Blazers' sharpshooting was on full display, connecting 19-of-31 from beyond the arc. They dominated the paint 58-20, scored 91 off the bench, and thrived on fast breaks (27-8). Their relentless rebounding effort saw 15 offensive rebounds convert into 24 second-chance points, while limiting Djabal to just nine second chances off 11 offensive rebounds.
Djabal, who left the competition winless, have showcased flashes of brilliance in both matches played, with Abdou Omar Mchangama leading the scoring with 19 against Blazers. Zakaria Zaher, Djabal's 21-year-old forward, recorded a double-double on 12 points and 10 rebounds to finish as one of the best talents on the Said Youssouf-coached Djabal.
As action concluded at the International School of Tanganyika (IST), two teams, Dar City and Namuwongo Blazers, moved one phase away from what would be historic BAL debuts.
[Photography Courtesy of FIBA/Road to BAL]
