Okol rallies Umoja to fight for playoff slot

Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) men’s league side Umoja have their sights set on qualifying for the league playoffs, a feat skipper Tony Blair Okol admits is no easy task but is achievable.

On the weekend, the side came from behind to beat Zetech Titans 48-41 in a game of two halves for the Kevin Sunguti-led side for their first victory in the second leg.

Sunguti’s charges played for a lowly 7-7, 7-17 first-half score. Managing just 14 points in two quarters was a new low for the side and something had to give. Fans at the Ulinzi Complex where the weekend matches were held, however, witnessed a different side in the second half.

Umoja dropped 22 points while restricting the varsity side to eight to take the lead at 36-32 going into the final stanza which was a fight as Job Munene’s Titans unsuccessfully fought to reclaim their advantage. Umoja went 12-9 in the final quarter for victory.

“We needed last weekend’s win and despite it being a tough game, we managed to fight for victory. We had a slow start and made some silly mistakes that almost cost us the match.

With our target set on qualifying for the playoffs, we are not yet out of the wood and we need to rally for more wins in the second leg. We have to play better in the coming games as every team is out to finish in a playoff position and competition for places is heating up,” offered Okol.

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This weekend’s matches pits Sunguti’s charges against star-studded title hopefuls Equity Dumas, a match the tactician admits will be no walk in the park and his charges will have to be prepared appropriately for the match.

“We are lacking a proper center player and that puts us in a situation where we have to rely on speed and agility offensively so we have to prepare adequately. Defensively, we will have to put pressure on their guards just past the half-court mark. We do not want them to settle and organize their offense comfortably,” Sunguti offered.

Premier League action for the weekend moves to Strathmore grounds with the clash between Umoja and Dumas the only men’s top tier action on the cards. The other matches will feature division one matches.

Only one top tier match in the women’s league, pitting Strathmore Swords against Eagle Wings will be played in Nairobi.

Elsewhere Eldonets welcome Nairobi City Thunder on Saturday before Sadat Gaya’s men travel to Kisumu for a clash against Lakeside on Sunday.