Strathmore, Oryx up next for USIU in KBF League
What you need to know:
- Unbeaten KPA completed their nine first leg matches on top of the league with 18 points.
- Flames, coached by George Mayienga and who have won the league title two times in a row, must collect maximum four points this weekend to revive their hopes of finishing in top four.
Kenya Basketball Federation women’s Premier League champions USIU Flames will be seeking to finish the first leg in a respectable position when they play two matches in Nairobi this weekend.
Having lost their unbeaten record this season to Kenya Ports Authority who beat them 85-53 last weekend, Flames will start as favourites against Kenyatta University’s Oryx today at Upper Hill School outdoor court from 2pm.
On Sunday, Flames, who are placed sixth on the 10-team table of standings with nine points, will end their hunt for four points with a match against coach Ronnie Owino’s Strathmore University at Nyayo Stadium Gymnasium from 12pm.
KPA TOP STANDINGS
Unbeaten KPA completed their nine first leg matches on top of the league with 18 points. Flames, coached by George Mayienga and who have won the league title two times in a row, must collect maximum four points this weekend to revive their hopes of finishing in top four. Against Oryx, Flames will rely on experienced forward Sarah Chan, Georgia Adhiambo and Cynthia Irankunda to earn points.
Oryx have lost all their six matches in the first leg and it will take something special for coach Gitau Waringo’s charges to upset the reigning league champions.
“We have missed the services of our key player Rita Anyango who was injured and is expected be out of action until September. We have intensified training and played build-up matches and we should do well,’’ Waringo, whose team is bottom on standings with six points, said.
Strathmore are riding high, having demolished Equity Bank 51-49 last weekend. Dependable Susan Akinyi, Venesa Lubira and Vivian Saina are expected to go all out against Flames on Sunday.
Strathmore have garnered 13 points from six wins and one loss and are currently placed second on the standings.
Pirates, who beat Kenya Airports Authority last weekend, will tackle coach Job Munene’s Zetech University while Little Prince play USIU-A Morans while JKUAT, who lost 52-35 to Barclays Bank, will host Eldonets from Eldoret.
Nebulas Kakamega, who put up an impressive performance to win two away matches in Nairobi last weekend, will be at home to Nairobi-based Emyba.
FIXTURES
Saturday
Upper Hill School: USIU-A v Little Prince (9am), JKUAT v Eldonets (10.30am), Zetech University v Pirates (12pm), Oryx c USIU-A Flames (2pm). Kakamega Poilce Canteen: Nebulas Kakamega v Emyba (9am).
Sundayat Nyayo Stadium
Riara University v MKU Thika (9am), Strathmore University v USIU-A Flames (12pm), Barclays Bank v Eldonets (1.30pm), USIU-A Tigers v KCA-U (3pm), Lions v Blades (4.30pm). Upper Hill School: JKUAT v Zetech University (12pm), ANU v Terrorists (2pm).
