KPA looking to extend KBF winning streak as league enters homestretch

Former Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) men’s league champions Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) are looking to pick maximum points when they host Umoja and Embakasi Youth (EMYBA) sides at Makande on Saturday 13 November and Sunday 14 November, respectively.

The title-chasing dockers headline the men’s league standings after 19 matches at 37 points, two ahead of second-placed Equity Bank who have played 20 matches for 15 wins.

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Up against a Umoja side that is fighting to stay afloat for a playoff berth and EMYBA who are desperately hanging on for dear life in the face of relegation, coach Sammy Kiki says his side is using the two fixtures to perfect new defense tactics they have introduced in the team ahead of the playoffs. 

“We have had the advantage of having the squad in camp this week after last weekend’s matches and the sessions have been transformative. I introduced a few defensive variations which we put to use last weekend but were not working well. 

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We had a chance to perfect on them and polish our offense and in a friendly match played on Friday morning against division one side Coastal Kings, all our plays worked well and I am looking forward to implementing that in a competitive setting,” said Kiki. 

KPA, who have suffered just one loss in the regular league, are looking to dethrone Ulinzi Warriors who lost their second match of the league last weekend in the hands of last season’s finalists Nairobi City Thunder. Warriors are third on the log at 34 points from 16 wins in 18 matches. 

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Meanwhile, Thunder travel to this weekend where they play Eldonets on Sunday as they look to build on the momentum of their win against Warriors. Coach Sadat Gaya’s men will then face Lakeside on Sunday where they are hoping to continue their perfect run in Kisumu city. 

“Our trip to Eldoret has always been unpredictable. Last season we lost a league match and a playoff match on their turf while we have a perfect record in Kisumu. These are tricky fixtures but we have prepared with that in mind and are targeting maximum points,” said Gaya.