By Isaac Akugizibwe

KIU, Main Campus-KIU Titans have progressed to the semifinals of the 2022 NBL season after completing a double against Power basketball club in the quarter-finals Playoffs on Sunday evening.

The Titans beat Power 68-59 on Friday evening before adding to their advantage with an impressive 70-57 Victory on Sunday, rendering Power powerless. Titans led the quarterfinals playoff tie 2-0, making a third series game useless.

Four  Titans scored in double figures to inspire a much-deserved Victory. Isaiah Mabeny Ater added 12 points to his Friday tally of 19, Micheal Otieno posted 12, Edgar Munaba,11 and Fidel Okoth Odour rounded it off with 10 points.

KIU Titans will certainly meet the winner between noisy neighbours Namuwongo Blazers or KCCA Panthers in the semifinals Playoffs.

Nam blazers and KCCA tie is not yet decided though the Namuwongo team has more chances of progressing after beating Brian Wathum's side 63-41 at YMCA court on Sunday. But this hasn't stopped their fans from exchanging words of caution and warning with those of KIU.

KIU Titans' fans have warned Nam blazers to pull out before suffering the wrath of the Kansanga outfit in what they have dubbed,'#Operation 'Funguwa barabara'(FFU).

Namuwongo Blazers' fans allegedly wanted Power to eliminate the Titans but in vain hence an outburst of exchanges on Twitter accusing KIU of making too much noise. KIU fans responded politely, claiming that  Namuwongo Blazers are their academy.

Fahad Kyazze, the president of the KIU basketball fans association is confident that the Titans will eventually make it to the finals. He said that the possible opponents at the semi's are beatable and advised Namuwongo fans to focus on their players.

"Why would they mind about fans they ain't playing against,  they should focus on the players. They can't regulate on how we should support our team, if there is a team we can be afraid of, surely it's not them," Kyazze said.

 "Maybe their rough game of knocking people,  we don't fear their talents because they even don't have talented players, save the few probably they got from us but the rest and wrestlers, just knocking people down, injuring them," he added.

However, KIU Titans Coach Raymond Muhumuza has urged the fans to wait for the final result of the KCCA Panthers vs Nam blazers game to start talking about the semifinal series.

"With all due respect to KCCA,  let us wait for that series to end," he said.

"However we thank the fans for the overwhelming support," he added.

The date of the semifinals is yet to be communicated.

KIU Rangers On Course

The University's female basketball side, KIU Rangers is on the verge of making it to the semi's after humbling Miracle Ravens 90-38 on Saturday.

The Rangers need to win on Wednesday to confirm a semifinals slot where they will play the winner between UCU Lady Canons and Magic Stormers.

Photo Credit: KIU Rangers/KIU Titans