Owino tears into Swords after dismal show

Strathmore University Swords, the varsity women's basketball side featuring in the Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) league has been a pale show of themselves this season and coach Ronnie Owino is blaming it all on complacency. 

This past weekend, Owino's charges went down by a painful one basket in a 43-41 outcome against Africa Nazarene University (ANU) a result that left a bad taste in the tactician's mouth. 

What was even more baffling for coach Owino and all who watched the Swords going down was the fact that 35 of the 43 points for ANU were scored by two players, Lynn Saliamo with 23 and Diana Wafula with 12. 

"I really cannot say there is anything the team is lacking. My players just do not show up on the court. They seem comfortable with either result, you try to push them to do things right, to show the zeal to win matches but it is just not happening. We are making basic mistakes on the court. Executing simple plays is a problem," said Owino. 

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In six matches this season, Swords have lost four. Coach Owino says while the vicious cycle of losing players when they complete school plays a part in their current low, it was still no excuse. 

"We lost a match to ANU, a team that is in the premier league by virtue of another team having withdrawn. That says a lot about our quality of play. Most of the other varsity side that are churning better results than us week in week out do not enjoy some of the privileges my players have. It is time my players woke up and smelled the coffee," Owino added. 

ANU who had been relegated to the women's division one at the conclusion of the 2019 season were reinstated to the premier league after Masaku Sparks who had survived the chop was disbanded. 

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This weekend the varsity teams are in action at the Kenya University Sports Association (KUSA) playoff games set for Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology from Friday 13 to 15 August 2021.