Top dogs ready to bite in KBF leagues

What you need to know:

  • Ulinzi Warriors shot down Co-operative Bank 83-71 last weekend.
  • Ulinzi Warriors will take on Lions at Nyayo National Stadium Gymnasium on Sunday.

Top guns will be involved in 22 Kenya Basketball Federation Premier and Division One leagues first leg matches at different venues in Nairobi, Kisumu, Eldoret and Nakuru this weekend.

Former men and women’s Premier League champions Ulinzi Warriors, USIU-A Flames, Thunder, Equity Bank and USIU-A Tigers will be engaged in high profile first leg fixtures.

Ulinzi Warriors, who shot down Co-operative Bank 83-71 last weekend, will take on Lions at Nyayo National Stadium Gymnasium on Sunday.

Lions, led by Dennis “Dikembe” Opiyo and Brian Ocholla, were beaten 73-68 by Umoja in over-time after both teams had locked 61-61 last Saturday. The wounded Lions will be out to cause an upset against tough Ulinzi Warriors.

Ulinzi Warriors coach William Balozi said: “My players are training hard this season and we are determined as a team to reclaim the league."

Thunder coach Faustin Mgendi, who had a good run beating KCA-U 71-59, will parade guard Griffins Ligare and Charles Kituyi as they confront USIU- A Tigers in a tight showdown.

After losing 51-44 to newcomers Zetech University, coach George Mayienga is expected to lead USIU-A Flames in a comfortable win as they host visiting Kakamega-based Western Delight on Saturday. Western Delight handled by Donald Liru, will wind up the Nairobi tour against coach Everline Kedogo's self supporting Eagle Wings Sunday.

Co-op Bank women’s team went down fighting 59-51 to USIU-A Flames and will be tackling Kenyatta University Oryx. Oryx also made a false start when Mombasa-based Kenya Ports Authority clobbered them 88-39 in Nairobi last weekend. Equity Bank, who lost 61-86 to KPA, will need Kevin Chogo and Vincent Onsongo’s contribution as they tackle winless KCA-U on Sunday.

In another top men’s Premier League tie, Trailblazers will square it out with Blades while Gladiators tackle Strathmore University. All matches will be at Nyayo Stadium.

At Upper Hill School, Terrorists will meet World Hope, Emyba to entertain newcomers Neosasa while JKUAT to face off with KDF Morans. Blades suffered a 62-44 loss to KPA and will fight hard to garner maximum points.

FIXTURES

Saturday at Nyayo: Blades v Riara University (8.30am), Gladiators v Strathmore University (10am), , Oryx v Co-op Bank (11.30pm), USIU-A Flames v Western Delight (1pm), Trailblazers v Blades (2.30pm), USIU-A Tigers (4pm).

Upper Hill School: Emyba v Neosasa (8.30am), JKUAT v KDF Morans (10am), Terrorists v World Hope (11.30am), KCA-U v Footprints (1pm), Strathmore University v Upper Hill School (2.30pm). Eldoret: Eldonets v Nakuru Club (10am). Menengai High School: Egerton University v JKUAT (8am), Egerton University-men v JKUAT (10.30am). Kisumu Sports Ground: Kissumu Lady Bucks v JKUAT (10am).

Sunday at Nyayo: Eagle Wings v Western Delight (8.30am), USIU-A Flames v Storms (10am), Umoja v Co-op Bank (11.30am), Equity Bank v KCA-U (1pm), USIU-A Tigers v Zetech University (2.30pm), Ulinzi Warriors v Lions (4pm).