Will the 2024/25 Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) Premier League men’s and women’s titles be decided on Saturday?
This is the question on the minds of many Kenyan basketball enthusiasts as they await Game Three of the best-of-five men’s and women’s play-off finals at the Nyayo Stadium gymnasium in Nairobi.
In Games One and Two, played at the Makande Gymnasium in Mombasa, City Thunder defeated KPA 81–47 and 93–79, respectively.
Thunder have not lost a single match since last season and have oozed class throughout the current campaign. The Basketball Africa League participants have displayed aggressiveness in defence and efficient transitions to stand head and shoulders above the rest.
Thunder are likely to rely on Tylor Ongwae, Derrick Ongechi, Garang Diing, Albert Odero and Eugene Adera in their quest to retain the coveted title.
If KPA are to stand a chance of halting their charge, they will have to improve their defence, make it difficult for Nairobi City Thunder to find space in the paint, and prevent them from scoring three-point shots.
The Sammy Kiki-coached KPA will look to Spencer Morel, Tobias Odhiambo, Lennox Wanje, Martin Buluma and Gerry Wekesa for inspiration in their bid to keep the series alive.
“We will keep on working on the defence so that we can maintain focus throughout the game,” said Kiki after Game Two.
The KPA women could also sweep the series against the determined Zetech Sparks and reclaim the title they lost to the Equity Hawks last season, whom they defeated in the semi-final play-offs.
Their transition from defence to offence was brilliant in both matches, and key players to watch are Chantal Kiyobe, Alima Doumbia, Yvonne Atieno and Grace Irebu.
“Players are in good shape with no injuries to worry about,” said Ojukwu as he relished another go at Sparks.
Although they are favourites to win, he noted that they will approach the match with a lot of respect for Zetech Sparks.
“Zetech, being the underdogs, have nothing to lose but they can cause the biggest upset. We just have to play as per our game plan,” said Ojukwu.
Key players for Zetech Sparks are Angela Akinyi, Maureen Bosibori, Christine Akinyi, Mitchel Sokojou and Ashely Minayo.
The university ladies have played well in defence and will be feeling confident after putting up a good fight against KPA in the first two matches.
Zetech Sparks Coach Maurice Obilo said his players had done their best and now believed they could beat KPA.
Obilo described the season as amazing and challenging, given that he was working with students.
“It was just encouragement that we were giving them and at the end of the day you don’t push them so hard; you know they are students and are playing against professionals,” said Obilo.
