20 July 2009

KENYA : Five Kenyan clubs for Kampala show in final league matches before event

Five Kenyan teams led by national men and women champions KCB Lions and Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) showed class in the premier league with only a week to the Zone Five club show in Kampala, Uganda.

Lions thrashed International Christian Center (ICC) 72-57 in a top premier league show at Nayo National Stadium gymnasium, Nairobi while KPA shoed little respect for Strthmore University at their Makande Welfare hall in Mombasa winning 10-8.
Tobias Onyango led Lions, who have now 15 points from eight games, with 4 points, Ikapian settled for 14 while Dennis Opiyo picked his mark with 12. KPA had 21 from Yvonne Akinyi and 12 from Carol Mureji.
But Co-operative Bank of Kenya were brought back to earth when they were stuned 81-78 by an upbeat United States Intenational University (USIU) Tigers.
Abel Nson ruined the day for Co-op who as he drained season high 33 points for Tigers, the former four time champions had 19 from Osano, 17 from Allan Ouma and 11 from Roy Kahure.
Brothers Musa and Furaha Odari were in superb form guiding KPA to a 91-52 humiliation of the visiting Strathmore University. The porters had 18 points each Furaha and Musa Odari. Patrick Kirui also had 18 while Javan Odhiambo had 12 and Mike Opel 10 in that over Blades.

Self sponsored Eagle Wings bolted off strong taking a 33-12 lead at the break before humiliating Sprite Storms 66-25 in an easy women's game. Anastasia Njeri was good for 13 points in that win that saw non of the losers score in double figures
Wings, the second best women's team in Kenya have vowed that they are not going for the Kampala championships merely to make the numbers. They are eyeing the continental ticket

Team tactician Thomas "Smatts" Olumbo told Fiba that they will from today launch a serious training programme and also hope to play some two friendly games before departure for the show that tips off July 27 at the Lugogo Indoor Stadium.
"I believe we can win this tournament. My team has the experience and I hope that they will rise to the occasion." said Olumbo who has only lost one player- Maureen Andalia from the side that took part in last year's Africa club championships in Nairobi.

He said that as part of the preparations, he would have loved to play rivals and national champions Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) who also won the crown I Addis Ababa, Ethiopia last year and newly formed Eastern Queens.
"The two are currently the top placed teams in the country and any meeting with them would have been greatly welcomed at this time as we prepare for Kampala. But unfortunately, that is not in programme and we will now have friendlies against other teams.

Wings, who won their two weekend premier leageue matches beating Yana 57-40 and United States International University (USIU) Flames 63-40, have so far gunnered nine points from five games. They meet Sprite Storms this weekend.

Team manager Nellie Odera was equally as optimistc that the girls would do well in the week long show.The team that was not well placed during last continental show that attracted 12 teams. Mozambique's Desportivo emerged winners.
"We anticipate a good show. We know everyone coming out to beat us and we will not underate any of our opponents in this tournament. We are continuing to work on new tactics and shoot alot as the daily training develops each day." She echoed.

Olumbo said that Ugandan teams will provide tough opposition. Let us not think it will be easy, Ugandands have worked so hard to develop their games lately and with the kind of organisational skills they have shown, they will suprise many." he noted.

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