Strathmore University Swords playoff hopes suffered a severe jolt after playmaker Consolata “Conso” Atieno was ruled out for the rest of the season with injury.
The varsity side’s veteran tactician, Ronny Owino, said the point guard has undergone an operation and will be out of action for at least a year.
Swords face champions Kenya Ports Authority in Game Three of the playoff semifinals in Mombasa this weekend. The Porters are up 2-0 in the best-of-five series with 63-48 and 61-54 wins in the first two games.
“Conso suffered an ankle injury and we will have to play the rest of the series without her. It is a big blow for the team since she will miss the rest of the season,” said Owino. “She has been operated on.”
Atieno was injured during the playoff quarterfinals against United States International University (USIU) Flames.
Atieno’s absence has complicated matters for Owino, who lost another playmaker, Nereah Maggy, to injury during their first match.
“Nereah got injured during our opening away fixture in Eldoret. She led the team with 24 points while pulling down 15 rebounds in that game. We have missed her all along,” said Owino.
“I have no reliable playmaker at a critical time in the league.”
Owino expects Swords to compete at the Makande Welfare Hall, just as they did in the previous two matches.
“I was happy with their performance in the two losses. KPA is an experienced team. Things would have been different if we had Conso and Nereah,” he said.
He will rely on Faith Saney, who has not been training due to school commitments, and Edna Kola, who's returning from an injury layoff.
