Namuwongo Blazers defeated City Oilers 81–74 after overtime in Game Seven to retain the 2026 National Basketball League Championship in Hoima
Namuwongo Blazers completed a recovery by beating City Oilers 81–74 after overtime in Game Seven of the 2026 NBL Finals.
Trailing 3–2, the champions responded emphatically and finished the job at Hoima City Arena on Saturday, 22 August. The victory confirmed their 2025 breakthrough was no one-season achievement.
2026 NBL Finals Game Seven Facts
| Match detail | Information |
| Fixture | Nam Blazers vs City Oilers |
| Competition | 2026 NBL Men’s Finals, Game Seven |
| Date | Saturday, 22 August 2026 |
| Venue | Hoima City Arena |
| Result | Nam Blazers 81–74 City Oilers, after overtime |
| Series result | Nam Blazers won 4–3 |
| Top scorer | Fataki Nyembo, 35 points |
| Playoffs MVP | Fataki Nyembo |
City Oilers Force Game Seven into Overtime
Regulation remained close as both teams answered each other’s runs. City Oilers displayed their decade of domestic experience, but Nam Blazers stayed composed.
Landry Ndikumana converted late free throws to force overtime, extending the season without changing the trophy’s destination.
The Kawowo Sports Game Seven report explains how Namuwongo controlled overtime by denying entry passes, forcing difficult shots, and using their possessions efficiently. The seven-point margin reflected their superiority under pressure.
Tonny Drilleba and Fayed Bbaale battle for possession during an NBL game. (NBL PHOTOS)
Fataki Nyembo Delivers a Championship Performance
Fataki Nyembo delivered the defining display, scoring 35 points and carrying the Blazers’ offence.
Nyembo earned the Playoffs MVP award. Jimmy Enabu and Anthony Chukwurah supplied 12 points each, preventing City Oilers from concentrating entirely on the star.
Patrick Rembert led the Oilers with 27 points, Fayed Bbaale added 14, and Ndikumana scored 10. Their contributions kept City competitive, but that efficiency disappeared in overtime.
How Nam Blazers Recovered from 3–2 Down
City Oilers won Game Five 78–73 to move within one victory of regaining the crown, leaving Namuwongo no room for another defeat.
The Blazers responded by transforming Game Six at Lugogo Indoor Arena into an 82–64 statement victory. The Game Six report shows how Tonny Drileba controlled the contest with 11 assists and 11 rebounds, while Peter Obleng scored 22 points, Nyembo added 18, and Henry Ssebagala contributed 15.
The Kawowo Sports analysis of Nam Blazers’ title defence shows how depth changed the series. Namuwongo moved the ball purposefully, received production from several players, maintained defensive intensity and made the Oilers work hard for every possession.
Also read: nam-blazers-beat-city-oilers-82-64-to-force-nbl-finals-game-seven
Defence and Composure Decide the Championship
The tactical lesson became clearest in overtime. Nam Blazers protected the paint, disrupted the Oilers’ interior supply and forced lower-percentage attempts. Offensively, they avoided rushed decisions and pulled away.
It was a major improvement from Game Three, when the Blazers made only five of 33 three-point attempts in a 76–72 overtime loss. Better ball movement reduced difficult shots, lineup depth spread the scoring burden, and disciplined defence provided stability.
Head coach Stephen Nyeko and his staff deserve credit for keeping the champions united. Their response combined tactical adjustment with the mental strength required to survive two elimination contests.
Two basketball players battle for possession during a competitive game. (NBS SPORT)
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BAL Qualification Becomes the Next Target
Beating City Oilers in consecutive championship series signals a change at the top of Ugandan basketball. Namuwongo have demonstrated star quality, depth, tactical flexibility and resilience.
The Blazers will now turn to the continental stage. FUBA confirmed that the 2026 NBL men’s champions would represent Uganda in the upcoming Road to BAL qualifiers, where Namuwongo will seek a place in the main Basketball Africa League group phase.
Namuwongo reached the Elite 16 in their previous campaign but exited without a win at that stage. The experience exposed them to the greater physical, tactical and organisational demands of continental basketball.
What to Take Home
The main lesson is that Nam Blazers can respond when most vulnerable. They recovered from 3–2 down, dominated Game Six and executed calmly in overtime. Nyembo supplied individual brilliance, but the championship required contributions throughout the roster.
Those qualities must travel into Road to BAL. Defensive discipline, ball movement and composure offer a strong foundation, but continental opponents will punish turnovers, inconsistent shooting and weak rebounding. If Namuwongo correct those areas while retaining their depth, they can improve on their previous Elite 16 appearance and challenge for the BAL group phase. The domestic crown confirms their authority in Uganda; continental qualification is the next measure of progress.
