KPA, Equity set to clash for Zone Five title

Sibling rivalry is set to be renewed when Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) women’s league champions Equity Hawks and former champions Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) clash in the FIBA Africa Zone Five Women's Club Championship on Tuesday 23 November. 

The two sides have gone three matches unbeaten, Hawks winning their third match 27-45 against Burundi's Gladiators while the dockers had to fight hard for a 67-57 victory against hard fighting Rwanda Energy Group (REG). 

Equity, KPA get Zone Five campaign off to good start

On Monday 22 November, David Maina's charges Hawks have a date with hosts Don Bosco, a side that lost 70-21 to the dockers. On their part, KPA face Gladiators a match that coach Antony Ojukwu says they will approach with utmost respect despite the opponent's previous results. 

"We played a tough match against REG, they are a good side and they gave us a run for our money. However, I am happy with my players' display as they showed much character in that game. The squad has gelled well with those who joined in for this championship and as we face Gladiators, I am not worried." said coach Ojukwu. 

Going by previous performances, the Tuesday all-Kenyan clash will determine the champion of this tournament and both tacticians remain gracious in their comments on the clash. 

"I am happy with the performance of the Kenyan teams. It will be an interesting final match but we still have today's match before we can think about playing Hawks. That said, we will plan for that final match well, seeing as we know their strengths and weaknesses. They are a good team and we should stay focused if we want this title," added Ojukwu. 

In the local league, KPA have an edge over the bankers, having won the return leg by 20 points while Maina's charges won the first leg by four. However, the two sides have travelled with slightly different squads with Annrose Mandela rejoining the bankers while the national team duo of Victoria Reynolds and Brenda Wasuda are suiting up for the dockers. 

"We have a game today against Don Bosco and we want to use this game to improve on our defense, our transition and making good decisions on offense. We plan to use all our players in today's game so that we can give them confidence for the KPA game," said coach Maina.