Aga Khan Academy chase title

Morris Zoga (left) of Ushindi Baptist High School dribbles the ball against Sher Amir (right) of Aga Khan Academy in the boys second semi final basketball match during the Mombasa County Secondary Schools Term One ball games at Shimo la Tewa High School. March 15, 2017. Aga Khan Academy won the match to qualify for the finals against hosts Shimo la Tewa High. [PHOTO BY GIDEON MAUNDU/STANDARD]

Defending champions Aga Khan Academy, Mombasa, have set their eyes on retaining the boys' basketball title when the Coast Region Term One Games start today at Mazeras Boys High School in Kwale county.

The title holders open their quest against Lamu's Mpeketoni High School.

"We must win our opening match. Our pool is quite strong, hence the need to be on top. The group has former champions and we have no option but to win this game," said Aga Khan Academy coach Jimnah Kimani.

"Our focus is to top our pool and have an easy semi-final," added Kimani, who steered the team to a fourth-place finish in last year's national games.

Captain Salim Abdallah is optimistic the team is ready for the task ahead.

"The team that won last year is intact apart from one player, who was in Form Four," said the captain.

Kimani will heavily bank on Sydney Ochieng, who guided them to last year's national games. Other dependable players include Alisher Abdumamadov and Victor Maisori.

In another pool A match, Kwale's Kaya Tiwi School will play last year's finalists, St George's of Kilifi. In pool B, former champions Shimba Hills meet Tana River's Madogo in the opening match.