Mufutu rallying his troops as KBF playoffs beckon
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Reading Time: 2min | Fri. 31.05.24. | 09:05
The first playoff matches are scheduled for this weekend
Former Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) men's league champions Ulinzi Warriors are looking to end the regular season on a high when they play United States International University (USIU) on Sunday 2 May.
The match, slated for 9 am, marks the end of the regular season amd the start of what is likely to be a treacherous journey for the Bernard Mufutu-led military side in their quest for silverware since their 2019 triumph.
In a season dominated by new-look Nairobi City Thunder, Mufutu has been forced to go to battle for the better part of the regular season without some key players led by skipper Erick Mutoro, who has since returned from injury.
In their penultimate match of the regular season, the military side fell to Equity Dumas 61-57 despite a good start that gave them a 10-point cushion in the first quarter.
"Turnovers have been our Achilles heel and we have to work on that. Additionally our concentration towards the end of the game and consistency in execution need to be improved ahead of the playoffs," Mufutu offered ahead of the USIU game.
If the recent Eliud Owalo Foundation basketball tournament performance is anything to go by, Warriors have their work cut out in their quest for the title. The side finished fourth in the tourney, falling to Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) in the third-place match.
Mufutu is, however, buoyed by the return of Mutoro, Elisha Odhiambo who also missed a few matches due to injury and Derrick Ochieng who was away on military duty as the trio adds to the side's depth.
"The players that were carrying injuries are back on the court and as we prepare for the playoffs they are a welcome addition. After the USIU match we will regroup and strategise for the playoffs as we have little time before our series begins," Mufutu added.
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