Eldonets, Thunder in Kenya Basketball Federation playoffs
Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) men’s league playoffs jump off this weekend with Eldonets hosting Nairobi City Thunder while Kisumu Lakeside welcome former champions Ulinzi Warriors in Game One of the best-of-three quarters.
The two Nairobi-based sides, Thunder and Warriors, head to the fixtures as favourites having finished the regular league season placed second and first on the log respectively.
Thunder, who lost three matches in the regular season, return to Eldoret where they suffered their second defeat of the regular league ready to make amends.
Sadat Gaya-coached Thunder could miss the services of defensive player Shem Otieno who is still nursing an injury but the tactician is confident they will pick the away win and finish the job in Nairobi in Game Two.
“There were a lot of factors that led to our loss to Eldonets on their own turf. Fatigue played a big role as we had a challenging journey to Kisumu for a match against Lakeside and back to Eldoret.
We were also not ready for the rowdy fan base but this time around we are prepared both physically and mentally for the encounter,” said Gaya.
On their part, Warriors hope to complete the task in the first two games against Lakeside, having won the regular league matches home and away.
Warriors are without lethal forward James Mwangi but coach William Balozi believes he has the depth to handle the fixture. Matches between Equity Bank and Embakasi Youth (EMYBA) were cancelled.
