Zetech Sparks head coach Maurice Obilo is fully aware of the formidable challenge posed by Equity Hawks as the two teams prepare to clash in the semifinal playoffs of the Kenya National Basketball Women’s Premier League on Friday evening.
After a strong showing in the quarterfinals, where they eliminated Storms, the Sparks will face the Hawks in Game One at Nyayo Gymnasium, with Game Two scheduled for Sunday in the best-of-five series.
“I know the game will be very interesting, but I can say we have prepared well. Actually, the whole season we have been building up to this level. We therefore are not starting now; the journey started way earlier as we have been preparing for it throughout the season,” Obilo remarked.
Reflecting on the season’s challenges, Obilo mentioned, “We have had our ups and downs, losing some key players to other teams at the last minute, which disoriented us a little bit, but we still regrouped. It’s now a matter of planning and working with the players we have to make sure that we get the job done.”
Obilo acknowledged the quality of their opponents, saying, “I know they will come out ready to compete because they have worked well. Equity has a more decent team this year than last year; they have signed more experienced and senior players, but we have worked and are ready for them.”
The Sparks lost four players from last year’s squad: Mary Lisa to USIU Flames, Valary Kemunto and Marine Nyang’anyi to Equity Hawks, and Agnettah Kambua due to work commitments. Despite these losses, Obilo is confident in his team’s preparation and readiness.
Equity Hawks, having knocked out Eldonets in the quarter-final playoffs, will be looking to avenge their loss to Zetech in the same stage last season.
In another highly anticipated match on Friday night, the unbeaten Nairobi City Thunder will face Equity Dumas in Game One of the Kenya National Basketball Men’s Premier League semifinals, with Game Two set for Sunday.
Thunder head coach Brad Ibs, while cautious, expressed confidence in his team’s readiness. “The two weeks of preparations have been fine. It has really been nice to get everyone healthy and back into our regular lineup. We have played them four times this year, twice in the regular season and twice in the Eliud Owalo invitational tournament, and all the games were very close, but we are ready to compete and win,” Ibs said.
Nairobi City Thunder advanced to the semifinals by defeating the University of Nairobi’s Terror, while Equity Dumas ousted giants Ulinzi Warriors.
Defending champions in both leagues, Kenya Ports Authority (KPA), will face Strathmore Swords and Strathmore Blades in the women’s and men’s premier league semifinals, respectively. Both KPA teams secured their semifinal spots by defeating Africa Nazarene University teams in the quarterfinals, while Strathmore teams advanced after knocking out USIU teams.
Weekend Fixtures:
Friday, June 21, 2024
- Zetech Sparks vs. Equity Hawks – WP – Game One
- Equity Dumas vs. Nairobi City Thunder – MP – Game One
Saturday, June 22, 2024
- Strathmore Swords vs. KPA – WP – Game One
- Strathmore Blades vs. KPA – MP – Game One
Sunday, June 23, 2024
- Zetech Sparks vs. Equity Hawks – WP – Game Two
- Equity Dumas vs. Nairobi City Thunder – MP – Game Two
- Strathmore Swords vs. KPA – WP – Game Two
- Strathmore Blades vs. KPA – MP – Game Two
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