Ojukwu confident KPA will reclaim KBF title

Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) exacted revenge on Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) Women's league nemesis, defending champions, Equity Hawks over the weekend winning the return leg 78-48 at Makande Hall, on Sunday 10 October 2021. 

With that win, the Antony Ojukwu-coached side has bettered their chances of finishing the regular season top of the standings and consequently landing a favourable draw in the playoffs. 

Whenever the two sides lock horns, it is an encounter devoid of boredom but Sunday's match proved too much for the visiting Hawks after the first quarter which ended 13-10 in favour of the hosts. 

In the second quarter, the dockers went on rampage, dismantling Hawks' defence at will to score 28 points while restricting the opposition to just eight points to head to the break with the huge 23-point advantage. 

Another dominant performance in the second half ensured that Ojukwu's charges pick a 30-point win over Hawks and baring calamity, they will finish the regular league top. 

"When we lost the first leg match to Hawks it did not go down well with the players. With due respect to the other team we were the favourites in that match too and that loss was a wake up call,"

"Over the weekend, we all understood our assignment and prepared well for it. We put the opponent under pressure from the first whistle and did not allow them time to settle in the match or even plan their game. We kept switching plays and defence whenever they went on timeouts to try and counter our plays and it worked well for us," said Ojukwu.

KPA have missed out on the league title in the last two seasons, losing to Hawks and the tactician believes the title is theirs to lose this season.

"First, we were battling to top the regular league as that gives us an advantage of starting the playoff series at home. Secondly, being on top guarantees us a chance to win the league whichever format the organisers decide to use to decide who the champions are,"

"We have a solid squad. A mix of experience and young energetic players who are hungry for a title and that gives us an edge. The competition within the team is also adding to our depth which is also an advantage to us," added Ojukwu. 

KPA are three matches away from completing their regular season matches with clashes against Strathmore Swords, home and away, and a match against Eagle Wings in Mombasa.