Equity face Zetech test as KPA host Strathmore

As the Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) premier leagues near regular season conclusion, the race for playoff slots heats up with seven top-tier league matches scheduled for Saturday, 16 October. 

In the women's league defending champions Equity Hawks are looking to bounce back from last weekend's loss to former champions Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) as they face varsity side Zetech University.

The Maurice Obilo- coached Zetech are third on the log, having played 12 matches for nine wins and have their work cut out against the holders who, until last weekend when they fell 78-48 to KPA away in Mombasa, were unbeaten and are on a redemption mission. 

"We are going for nothing short of wins in remaining matches," Hawks head coach David Maina says. "We cannot underrate any team now as that would be detriment and against a team of Zetech's quality, we have to be at our best." 

Zetech are on a mission of their own, to cause an upset. If the first leg encounter is anything yo go by, this is a match with all the ingredients if a thriller. Their first meeting of the season saw the bankers pick one of their hardest-fought victories, winning by half a basket. 

"We picked our lessons from that loss and if we play according to plan, it will go our way. In the first leg we missed alot of easy shots and that came back to bite us. We have since worked on our finishing and ate ready for battle," said coach Obilo. 

The side will miss the services of centre player Valarie Kemunto who is yet to recover from an injury she sustained while in training with the national team. "Her absence means everyone else will have to work extra to cover for her unavailability, especially the post players," Obilo added. 

In the other women's league matches of the day, Antony Ojukwu's KPA host Strathmore Swords who have been a pale shadow of their former self this season and their league standing shows.

The Ronnie Owino-coached varsity side are in eighth place, fighting for a playoff slot, after picking four wins in 11 outings. 

Storms, meanwhile, play Africa Nazarene University (ANU) as the latter search for their fourth win in 15 matches while Storms are searching for a fifth in 11 outings. 

In the men's league Carey Odhiambo's Equity, coming off a 68-58 loss to KPA, face Umoja, under the tutelage of Kelvin Sunguti. On paper, the bankers are the better side, currently ranked in second place at 26 points from 15 matches, having won 11. On their part, Umoja have been victorious five times in 15 outings and are currently sixth on 20 points. 

In other matches, KPA, who are fighting for a possible top-place finish in the regular league, having lost one match to Ulinzi Warriors in 11 outings host Strathmore Blades. The varsity side like their sister side are fighting for a place in the playoffs. They are currently eighth on the log at 16 points from 11 matches. 

In Kisumu, hosts Lakeside welcome relegation-battling Kenya College of Accountancy-University (KCA-U). The hosts go in search of their fifth victory in 12 matches while the visitors are chasing their second in 15 encounters. 

Eldoret-based Eldonets are looking to bounce back to winning ways, after losing at home last weekend to Warriors, as they face varsity side University of Nairobi (UoN) Terror. 

Saturday Fixtures

Nairobi 

Storms vs ANU (Women)

Equity vs Zetech (Women)

 Equity vs Umoja (Men)

Mombasa

KPA vs Strathmore Swords (Women) 

KPA vs Strathmore Blades (Men)

Lakeside vs KCA-U- Kisumu (Men)

Eldonets vs Terror - Eldoret (Men)