Basketball in Africa

By Erick Ochieng’
Men’s Premier League champions Co-op Bank returns to the basketball show this weekend at Nyayo National Stadium with great hopes of beating newly promoted side Nakuru Club.
Coach Carey Odhiambo told Feverpitch on Friday that he would leave no chance to Nakuru Club that has been on the Premier League fold for over a half a decade.
“I have instructed my charges not to look down upon Nakuru who are making a come-back after a protracted period. It’s a must win for us,” said Odhiambo.
Even though Odhiambo is proud of his new three signings who he believe will influence the game he is still wary of Nakuru that he said he is yet to master their game plan.
Kanda has promised to give Co-op Bank a run for their money.
Notable signing at Nakuru Club is the Uganda import Michael Kariuki.
“We have three of our former players back but most importantly I have kept the winning squad that aided us to be promoted from Division One,” said Kanda.
Newly promoted side, University of Nairobi’s Terror, have a date with Strathmore University in one of the men’s Premier League matches on Saturday.
Terror earned a promotion this week after Masinde Muliro University opted out. Zetech College were elevated to take Terror’s position in the Division One.
Nairobi Basketball Association league also resumes this weekend at the Nairobi railways club with new kids on the block in the women category being Ulinzi Blades, Gladiators, Predators, Africa Nazarene University and Daystar University. New teams in the NBA men’s category are: USIU Cabs, Lycans, CFC Stanbic and Dankids.
Meanwhile, Kenya Basketball Federation(KBF) is mourning the death of officials who died on a road tragedy on Thursday while headed for College games.
Saturday
Men: Strathmore v Trailblazers 9.00am (Div1), KCA-U v World hope 10.30am (Div 1), Mennonites v Nairobi Aviation 4.30pm (Premier). Women: Mennonites v NYTA - Shimba 12.00pm, Strathmore v Storms 1.30pm, Strathmore v Terror 3.00pm
Sunday
Men: KAA v Equity Bank 9.00am (Div1), Parklands Baptist v Zetech College 10.30am (Div1), Umoja v Strathmore 12.00pm (Div1), Thunder v Terror 4.30pm (Premier). Women: Safe Spaces v NYTA-Shimba 1.30pm, Co-op Bank v Nakuru Club 3.00pm.