22 July 2006

KENYA : Play-Offs Race Gaining Pace

The battle for a place in the 2006 post-season basketball league play-offs intensifies when Co-operative Bank lock horns with Kenyatta University Pirates at Nairobi's National Stadium today.The match starts at 4 pm.

A total of seven return leg Premier and Division one league matches are lined up at the same venue today and tomorrow.

After a registering a morale boosting 70-40 win over University of Nairobi's Terrorists last weekend, Co-op Bank should approach today's tie against Pirates with caution.

Last weekend's two points saw the bankers climb the ladder from fourth to second spot on the table standings with 14 points. Co-op Bank, who have started the second leg well, have won six matches and lost two.

Experienced professional Peter Kiganya, Collins Gaya and John Waruru are expected to play a key role in Co-op Bank's hunt for the two important points. Pirates, who joined top competition this year, have been exhibiting a good game lately which saw them surprise regional champions KCB Lions whom they pipped 83-82 in double extra-time.

Coach Waringo Gitau of Pirates, who has always had a good game plan this season, will no doubt parade gifted shooter Griffins Ligare, tireless blocking star Paul Ojuoga and Emmanuel Sande to prove wrong the highly motivated Co-op Bank.

In today's women's highlight, Telkom will entertain new-comers Yana Club at 2pm. Telkom top cream Joyce Makungu, Caroline "Majeng" Achieng and Caroline Arato sent former regional champions Sprite Storms packing 62-41 last weekend.Should the trio maintain their top form, Stella Opondo's Yana will have an uphill task of trying to register a fourth win. Telkom are second on the seven-team standing with 11 points while Yana lie fourth with nine points.

In Division One Solomon Ochieng, David Maina and Morris Ogolla will lead Telkom against Radhi Ndalu's Nairobi Pentecostal Church from 12pm. Strathmore University, who lost two matches in a row last weekend, have yet another mountain to climb against Java Warriors at 10am.

Tomorrow, KCB Lions have an easy date with International Christian Centre from 4pm. Lions failed to roar in their last game going down 83-82 to Pirates in double extra-time. Coach Faustin Mgendi's ICC were in Nakuru for the first time where hosts Nakuru Club beat them 66-62.

By Caxton Apollo
Nairobi

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