Oluoch calls out Wolfpacks' complacency as KBF second leg gets underway

Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) men's league side Africa Nazarene University (ANU) Wolfpacks, on the weekend, went down 74-64 to Nairobi City Thunder, a match that had to be decided in overtime. 

Coach Mike Oluoch says his charges' complacency was the team's major undoing and that it cost them a match they would have won easily had they stuck to their game plan and instructions. 

The varsity side went to the match looking to turn the tables on coach Sadat Gaya's men, having lost the first leg encounter to the Shauri- Moyo based side. 

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Despite a good start, Wolfpacks found themselves trailing six and and 11 points at half time and at the end of the third quarter. They, however, recovered and had the lead before allowing Thunder back into the match. 

"It was a close match and we played well until the last three minutes of the game. We had the game in the bag but we got too confident and started making costly mistakes that allowed the opponent back into the game. 

When things started going south for us, the players panicked, stopped following instructions and they just didn't show up for the overtime allowing Thunder to outscored 13-03 in OT," Oluoch explained. 

The tactician, however, downplayed the absence of one of the team's best scorer in the first leg, James Marial who has left the country for a college scholarship in the US. 

"We know the gap left by the player but we have been doing well in filling if as I have the depth. He was an integral part of the team but we cannot say we lost due to his absence, far from it. 

However, the players know what they ought to have done and I am confident they will bounce back in the next assignment," Oluoch added. 

The tactician, however, is worried that the impending break will work against his side. 

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"Following the demise of the USIU player, the league has been postponed and there will instead be a team managers' meeting to chart the way forward after the incident. 

This means my players will go longer than a week before their next match. I prefer having them inna competitive mood, especially after such a loss as they have to snap out of it. A long layoff could lead to more complacency," Oluoch opined.

Having joined the top tier league this season, Wolfpacks are looking to finish in a playoff position at the conclusion of the regular league.