13 March 2008
KENYA : St Austin's Face Jaffery's in Semis
Sammy Kitula
Nairobi
The Nairobi Secondary School Sports Association boys' basketball league semifinals to be played on Saturday have thrown up two interesting matches but the one to look out for is that between St Austin's and the Nairobi Jaffery's Academy.
History favours St. Austin's who have won two of the three matches the two sided have played against each other since 2006.
However, Jafferys have vowed to defy the form books and win not just Saturday's semi final at World Hope Centre in Kawangware, but also a second provincial title.
Second meeting
"We know that our opponents have a very rich past compared to us but this will not deter us from claiming victory. We have built a very young but agile team and come Saturday, we will pour out all our game," said Jaffery's head coach, Gabriel Ingotsi. This will also be the second time these two teams will be meeting at the same level, after they first met in 2006.
"We played our hearts out then and defeated our opponents hands down. Our win made us realise that we could match top teams in the country," says Ingotsi.
Last year, St. Austin's won all their games on their way to the nationals, including a 62-45 pay-back win over their Jaffery's. Ingotsi says that their semi-final match will be a good challenge as it will be like a 'final' to both teams.
"It's going to be a 50-50 affair since both teams are capable of winning the provincial trophy as well as the national title," says Ingotsi.
"It will be at this point that the strongest team in the league will be gauged. It won't be easy for both teams though," he adds.
St. Austin's, five-time national and nine time provincial champions, will be relying much on their high scoring guards, David Ogolla and Kevin Samora for points to take them to the final.
Showdown
"I never wanted to meet them at this level but there is no turning back and my boys are all ready for the showdown," said Maina.
The other semi-final features St. Mary's School and Strathmore.
St. Mary's, who have lost only twice in their campaign, will be relying on the services of their two top players, Abraham Kimeu and Marvin Gitungo.
In the girls' semi-finals, defending champions, St. George's will battle it out with former champions Pangani Girls, while Moi Nairobi Girls will play Buruburu Girls in the second match.
Nairobi
The Nairobi Secondary School Sports Association boys' basketball league semifinals to be played on Saturday have thrown up two interesting matches but the one to look out for is that between St Austin's and the Nairobi Jaffery's Academy.
History favours St. Austin's who have won two of the three matches the two sided have played against each other since 2006.
However, Jafferys have vowed to defy the form books and win not just Saturday's semi final at World Hope Centre in Kawangware, but also a second provincial title.
Second meeting
"We know that our opponents have a very rich past compared to us but this will not deter us from claiming victory. We have built a very young but agile team and come Saturday, we will pour out all our game," said Jaffery's head coach, Gabriel Ingotsi. This will also be the second time these two teams will be meeting at the same level, after they first met in 2006.
"We played our hearts out then and defeated our opponents hands down. Our win made us realise that we could match top teams in the country," says Ingotsi.
Last year, St. Austin's won all their games on their way to the nationals, including a 62-45 pay-back win over their Jaffery's. Ingotsi says that their semi-final match will be a good challenge as it will be like a 'final' to both teams.
"It's going to be a 50-50 affair since both teams are capable of winning the provincial trophy as well as the national title," says Ingotsi.
"It will be at this point that the strongest team in the league will be gauged. It won't be easy for both teams though," he adds.
St. Austin's, five-time national and nine time provincial champions, will be relying much on their high scoring guards, David Ogolla and Kevin Samora for points to take them to the final.
Showdown
"I never wanted to meet them at this level but there is no turning back and my boys are all ready for the showdown," said Maina.
The other semi-final features St. Mary's School and Strathmore.
St. Mary's, who have lost only twice in their campaign, will be relying on the services of their two top players, Abraham Kimeu and Marvin Gitungo.
In the girls' semi-finals, defending champions, St. George's will battle it out with former champions Pangani Girls, while Moi Nairobi Girls will play Buruburu Girls in the second match.
# posted by afrbk : 17:10
