Tigers tackle new-look Thunder side
What you need to know:
- Loaded programme of 38 matches on the cards this weekend.
Thirty eight Kenya Basketball Federation National League first leg matches are on the cards in Nairobi, Nakuru, Kisumu and Eldoret this weekend as the new season enters its second week.
Saturday’s highlight will no doubt be the men’s Premier League duel involving hosts USIU-A Tigers against new-look Thunder under coach Collins Gaya.
The potential crowd-puller will start at USIU-A court "B" from 4.30pm.
Thunder, a team to watch this season, have beefed up their squad with top notch players, Joseph Khaemba from Co-op Bank, Raymond Kimani formerly with Strathmore University, forward Kevin Chogo (Equity Bank) and Ken Wachira.
Tigers will use their home court advantage.
Guard Griffins Ligare and Jack Arum are still with Thunder and Tigers must be wary of them.
Tigers are expected to field super star Alex Ramazani, Derrick Juma and Alvin Nyangweso as they chase a win.
After registering a morale boosting 61-32 victory over debutants Kisumu Lakeside 61-32 in their opener last weekend, Ulinzi Warriors will confront Trailblazers at 3pm.
Trailblazers, who were awarded a 20-0 walk-over against Co-op Bank in their opening match last weekend, will field forwards Lenson Nyamache and Christopher Katimbwa.
Masaku Sparks confirmed they will honour their match against hots USIU-A Flames on Sunday from 3pm.
Sparks forfeited their new season opener on a 20-0 basis last weekend after failing to show up against reigning champions Kenya Ports Authority.
Sparks coach Justus Akhwesa said they could not raise a team then but were ready now.
Equity Bank men’s team narrowly defeated KCA-U 53-51 last weekend but their second match against former champions Co-op Bank on Saturday hangs in the balance. Co-op Bank failed to turn up against Trailblazers and it is not clear whether the team has been disbanded or not.
Co-op Bank coach Carey “T9” Oketch has switched to Equity Bank with a bulk of players signing for other clubs.
In the women’s Premier League, Eagle Wings will begin their campaign to recapture the title they last won in 2011 when they play two matches. On Saturday, Everline Kedogo’s Eagle Wings will meet Zetech University before they conclude their tricky two match programme against newly promoted Footprints.
Zetech University beat Dynamites 18-16 in their opener while Footprints found the going tough as champions KPA humiliated them 69-18.
Footprints beat Masaku Sparks 3-0 in the women’s Division One league play-offs final to be declared champions. KPA routed Equity Bank in play-off final to reclaim the crown.
FIXTURES
Saturday: At USIU-A: JKUAT v 4-Christ (9am), KAA v Neosasa (9am), Upper Hill School v Woodley Knights (10.30am), JKUAT v Gladiators (10.30am), Daystar University v Dynamites (12pm), KCA-U v Kisii University (12pm), Zetech University v Eagle Wings (1.30pm), Co-op Bank v USIU-A (1.30pm), Ulinzi Warriors v Trailblazers (3pm), Co-op Bank v Equity Bank (4.30pm), USIU-A Tigers v Thunder (4.30pm). At Eldoret: Eldonets v Strathmore University (9am), Eldonets v Strathmore University (10.30am). At Menengai High School: Egerton University v ANU (9am), Egerton University v Mku Thika (10.30am), Nakuru Club v ANU (12pm).
Sunday: At USIU-A: KCA-U v JKUAT (9am), Daystar University v KCA-U (9am0, Pirates v KDF Morans (10.30am), Barclays Bank v Emyba (10.30am), Zetech University v Terrorists (12pm), Zetech University Titans v Lions (12pm), Oryx v Storms (1.30pm), Eagle Wings v Footprints (1.30pm), USIU-A Flames v Masaku Sparks (3pm), Thunder v Umoja (3pm), Trailblazers v Equity Bank (4.30pm), World Hope v USIU-A Tigers (4.30pm).
At Eldoret: Eldonet v ANU (9am), Eldonets v ANU (10.30am), Egerton University v Riara University (9am). At Menengai High School: Egerton University-women v Strathmore University (10.30am).
