National men’s champions Kenya Ports Authority will have to control the game if they are to upset Nairobi City Thunder in the playoff finals, coach Cliff Owuor has said.
The Porters, who shut out a determined Strathmore University Blades, host unbeaten Thunder in Game One and Two at the Makande Welfare Hall.
KPA are banking on home support even though they are without three starters — Gerry Wekesa, Salim, Kisilu and Dolph Otieno — due to injuries.
Owuor, who also handles Kenya Morans, said Thunder have some of the best players in the country.
“We understand that we are up against Goliath. We must be at our best,” said Owuor. “They get a lot of things right on the court. They shoot and run the floor well. We need to bring our ‘A’ game.”
Thunder were the only team to beat KPA in the regular season, home and away, but Owuor is convinced his players have improved, hardened up and brought back cohesion.
“We are in high spirits. The guys are feeling confident. They feel it's doable. We forward to a good game this weekend,” he said.
The women’s match-up pits champions KPA against Equity Bank Hawks. The bankers needed Game Five to shake off Zetech University Sparks in the semis.
“Resilience and teamwork have worked for us all along. We go back to drawing boards and work on strategy to face KPA. It won’t be an easy one. But if we believe in our systems and style of play and work as a unit, we shall not disappoint,” said Hawks coach Ben Oluoch.
Africa Nazarene University (ANU) Wolfpacks confront former champions Ulinzi Warriors in the classification matches on Saturday.
ANU Panthers face Storms on Sunday as the University of Nairobi Terrorists tackle the United States International University (USIU) Tigers.
In Division One, Stanbic Shields meet National Bank of Kenya Phoenix for a slot in the final — against Snipers.
In Division Two, Clique Mambas will be in Mombasa to play Congo Nets to determine who will face Moischers in the final.
Saturday fixtures
Stanbic Shield v NBK
Zetech v Safe Spaces
Congo Nets v Clique Mambas
KPA v Nairobi City Thunder
Strathmore University v Eagle Wings
Zetech Titans v Strathmore University
ANU Wolfpacks v Ulinzi Warriors
Equity Bank Hawks v KPA
Sunday
Clique Congo v Congo Nets
Nairobi City Thunder v KPA
ANU Panthers v Storms
UoN Terrorists USIU Tigers
KPA v Equity Bank Hawks
