Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) Premier League: Ulinzi Warriors out to arrest KU's Pirates

Ulinzi Warriors Eric Mutoro in action against Equity Dumas during their KBF men league match at Nyayo National Stadium Gym on August 28, 2022. [Kelly Ayodi, Standard]

Former champions Ulinzi Warriors will be seeking to catch up with leaders Equity Bank Dumas when they face Kenyatta University (KU) Pirates in their final first leg match of the Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) Premier League today (4pm) at Nyayo Stadium

The Soldiers dropped to fourth place on 18 points last weekend when they were not in action as Equity Dumas and Nairobi City Thunder won their matches to occupy the top three spots alongside defending champions Kenya Ports Authority (KPA).

The bankers saw off Strathmore University Blades 72-54 to move top of the 12-team table with 20 points. KPA dropped to second on 19 points with one match at hand. Thunder also has 19 points but has played 11 matches.

Warriors will move joint top with Equity if they defeat Pirates today and head coach Bernard Mufutu is determined to end their first leg on a high note.

Speaking to Standard Sports, Mufutu said they are going to maximise their two weeks rest and get the best out of his players at Nyayo.

"Losing the game is not in the agenda because we have had ample rest and time to recover and I expect everyone to give 100 percent on the court. It has been a good season where despite losing two matches we still have a chance to finish among the top four teams," said Mufutu who replaced William Balozi at the start of the 2022 season.

"Our goal is however not on going top but winning the game. We will think about standings after the match."

In the other match today, third-placed Zetech Sparks will take on African Nazarene University (ANU) Panthers in the women's league.

Tomorrow, reigning women's champions KPA return from their second place finish at the Fiba Zone V Championship in Tanzania to tackle Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) Lynx.

The dockers will hope to maintain their perfect start to the season where they have won all their nine opening matches by defeating the visitors at Makande Gymnasium.

KPA are currently joint top on the log with Storms who have played two matches more.

Other matches will see KU Oryx face Eagle Wings as fourth placed University of Nairobi Dynamites play Strathmore Swords.

Zetech Titans will be entertained by Strathmore Blades in the men's action as Pirates face Terror.