KNBL: KPA, Equity Hawks Set Sight On Final Showdown
By Dennis Kamariki Published on: July 03, 2024 08:01 (EAT)
Kenya National Women’s Basketball Premier League defending champions Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) head coach Anthony Ojukwu is optimistic of defeating Strathmore Swords, when they host the students in Mombasa for the remaining games of the semi-final playoffs.
KPA, who have one foot in the final, only need to win one game out of their remaining three to qualify for the final, with game three set for Saturday at the Makande Gymnasium, Mombasa.
The Dockers won Game One and Two 63-48 and 61-54 respectively in Nairobi, and will be banking on their experience to qualify despite injury scare.
“Preparations are going on well, we have some injuries; Linda Alando, Grace Irebu and Belinda Akoth who haven’t trained after suffering injuries in Nairobi, but they are recovering well. We are fine at the camp only that the demonstrations going on in the country have affected us a little bit but we are ready and focused for the games,” said Ojukwu.
“Strathmore is a good team, they play well, they push us hard but for us it is all about preparations, planning and game plan and wait for the result which I believe will favor us,” he added.
Elsewhere, Equity Hawks head coach Benson Oluoch believes they have all it takes to win the semi-final series match against Zetech Sparks, despite the wave of protests in the country affecting their training.
The two sides are tied at 1-1 in the series and each team is looking forward to winning two of the remaining three matches to qualify for the final.
They will play the remaining games at Nyayo Gymnasium starting Friday, July 5-8, 2024.
In game one, Zetech Sparks won 62-50 before Equity turned around the tables to win game two 69-59.
“With the on-going Gen Z protests we really couldn’t do that much, but with the time we had to prepare. I believe we have done what we could do so we just go out and give our best shot. We would have loved to prepare better and have more time. but since that is not the case we shall just go out and give the best that we can,” noted Oluoch.
Weekend Fixtures
Friday, July 5
Nyayo Gymnasium, Nairobi
Equity Hawks VS Zetech Sparks – WP – G3
City Thunder VS Equity Dumas – MP – G3
Saturday, July 6
Nyayo Gymnasium, Nairobi
Equity Hawks VS Zetech Sparks – WP – G4
City Thunder VS Equity Dumas – MP – G4
Makande Gymnasium, Mombasa
KPA VS Strathmore Swords – WP – G3
KPA VS Strathmore Blades – MP – G3
Sunday, July 7
Nyayo Gymnasium, Nairobi
Equity Hawks VS Zetech Sparks – WP – G5
City Thunder VS Equity Dumas – MP – G5
Makande Gymnasium, Mombasa
KPA VS Strathmore Swords – WP – G4
KPA VS Strathmore Blades – MP – G4
Monday, July 8
Makande Gymnasium, Mombasa
KPA VS Strathmore Swords – WP – G5
KPA VS Strathmore Blades – MP – G5