KAMPALA (FIBA Africa Champions Cup 2017) - Reigning champions City Oilers of Uganda will be looking to retain the FIBA Africa Zone 5 Clubs Championship when the tournament tips off from October 1-7 in the Ugandan capital city of Kampala.

For the tournament which serves as qualifier for the FIBA Africa Champions Cup 2017, Mandy Juruni's side has beefed up their squad with Canadian-based shooting guard Robinson Opong Odoch and American-born forward Adarius Pegues as well as center Stanley Ocitti who played a key role in their first regional title last year in Dar es Salaam. 

"We definitely want to defend our title and playing in front of our home fans will give us the needed boost. We are looking at playing at the next level." - Enabu

In an exclusive interview with FIBA.basketball, Jimmy Enabu said, "There is a bit of pressure because everyone expects a lot from us as defending champions playing at home but we have been down this road before and know what to expect."

"The tournament is timely because we have just returned from the FIBA AfroBasket where we gained a lot of experience. We hope to apply that at the tournament."

"We definitely want to defend our title and playing in front of our home fans will give us the needed boost. We are looking at playing at the next level," Enabu said.

City Oilers, who are also the defending Ugandan league champions, will face a tough test to the title from a very determined Patriots outfit from Rwanda who have boosted their squad with center Kami Kabange and shooting guard Hamza Ruhezamihigo.  

Kabange, who was at the core of the Oilers' run to the title last year, will be facing his former teammates hoping to lead the Rwandan moneybags to the coveted trophy. 

Participating teams: Hawasa City and Gonder City (Ethiopia), Kenya Ports Authority (Kenya), Patriots (Rwanda), ABC and Savio (Tanzania) and hosts Betway Power and City Oilers (Uganda). 

FIBA