Uganda, April 22 -- Two games into the Basketball Africa League Nile Conference action in Cairo, Egypt, Ugandan representatives City Oilers are already looking shabby and clutching at straws.

A 99-76 defeat to hosts and defending champions on Friday was followed by a disappointing 101-88 outing against Central African Republic's Bangui Sporting Club on Saturday to hand Oilers a 0-2 start in the conference.

Head Coach Karim Nesba was quick to highlight AS Douanes' journey in last season's Sahara Conference as an example of the possibility of things improving as the tournament goes on.

Douanes started last season's conference in Dakar, Senegal, with a 0-2 run before winning their last three games, including defeating US Monastir, to qual...