If our bigs show up, we’re winning this game. Plain and simple.
By A.A Johnson | 8 June, 2025 | 3:00Am | EAT

The JT Jaguars take on the KCCA Panthers tomorrow at 6 PM, and this one feels different. Not just because both teams are desperate to get back on track, but because so much of what will decide the game is going to happen right in the paint. And for us, that means Peter Sifuma and Fadhili Chuma need to step up and help us craft a win.

Let’s talk about what’s at stake—because both teams are hungry.

KCCA has already dropped two games in a row this round: one by a wide margin to the UCU Canons, and another close one, 75–78, to the Kampala Rockets. They’re coming in desperate, and they haven’t forgotten what happened last season when we beat them—despite Assimwe putting up a massive 28 points.

But our stakes are just as high. The Black Jaguars have now lost three straight, starting from the end of last round and continuing with a tough loss to the Blazers. And it stings—especially when we know we’ve had the pieces to win most of those games. Nobody wants to add another loss to the column, and that’s why this one matters a lot.
Here are 4 reasons why our bigs must step up in this game and the games to come;

📊 1. The Stats Demand It

This season, our key signing—Peter Sifuma from UCU Canons—has filled a vital gap in the roster. With 129 points and 127 rebounds so far (averaging 11.7 points and 7.1 rebounds per game), he’s been solid. But we believe he can do more. Pull-up jumpers and floaters won’t be enough in this game. He needs to demand the ball, roll with purpose, seal defenders inside, and punish single coverage. When he draws attention in the post, he frees up our shooters to get cleaner looks and make their shots count.

Chuma Fadhili, on the other hand, has been strong on the boards—averaging 7.1 rebounds per game—but is only contributing 5.3 points per game offensively. While his hustle and off-the-stat-sheet impact are undeniable, we need him to be more assertive around the rim. Finishing stronger, crashing the offensive glass, and being physical in the paint could easily get him to 8–10 efficient points. That swing could make a huge difference.

💪 2. Size Will Matter in This Game

KCCA plays big—almost their entire rotation is built to dominate the interior. Outside of Peter and Chuma, we don’t have the size to match them pound-for-pound. That’s why our centers need to set the tone physically. Protecting the rim, controlling the glass, and putting their bigs into early foul trouble could tilt the game in our favor. If the bigs lead with presence and intensity, the rest of the squad will follow.

🔥 3. The Guards Are Balling—Now the Bigs Must Match That Energy

Our guards are delivering. In the previous game against the Blazers, Aaron exploded for 22 points and 5 rebounds, Duncan followed with 20 and 8, and Mark added a strong 11. The backcourt is giving us firepower—but it wasn’t enough. Our bigs combined for less than 15 points, and the Blazers exposed that gap. If we can get similar energy and scoring from our frontcourt, we’ll become incredibly hard to stop.

🚫 4. No Room for a Fourth Loss

At this point in the season, there’s no space for another winnable game to slip through. We’ve let too many go, and this matchup—against a team we’ve already beaten and know well—has to be different. If we want momentum heading into the second half of the season, it starts here and now, tonight at 6:00 PM at Lugogo Arena.

If our bigs show up, we’re winning this game. Plain and simple.