Basketball: Equity Hawks upbeat ahead of Dynamites clash at Nyayo

From Left- Equity Hawks' Esther Butali, Rita Oluoch and Samba Mjomba celebrate after winning KBF playoffs game 3 finals against KPA at Gymnasium, Nyayo National Stadium on Friday night, Dec 20, 2019. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Equity Bank Hawks is still determined to finish top of the 2022 Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) women's Premier League despite mixed results in the last few weeks as they prepare to face University of Nairobi Dynamites at Nyayo Gymnasium on Saturday.

The former champions who are currently second with 18 points have lost two of their 10 matches played (against champions KPA and Zetech Sparks) but coach David Maina is keen to achieve a top four finish.

Finishing in the top four always favors a lesser tougher opponent in the playoffs and Zetech Sparks, Equity Hawks, Storms and University of Nairobi Dynamites are all fighting for the three remaining lucrative spots.

This is with the excuse of defending champions Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) who seem to be on course to finish top if their 11 straight wins is anything to go by.
Maina who targeted a first place finish has so far said they have to fight even more aggressively heading into the second leg.

"We need to improve not only defensively but also offensively. Lately, missing easy layups and free throws have costed us games we should have won but the journey is still far. We have time to rectify our mistakes and the journey to the top starts against Dynamites today," said Maina.
Zetech Sparks who are joint fourth with 17 points with Dynamites will be hoping to climb further up in the standings when they play Eagle Wings in the early kick off match at Nyayo from 12 noon.

African Nazarene University (ANU) Panthers taking on Kenyatta University Oryx will follow the match.
Tomorrow, Zetech Sparks will then face off against Dynamites as Lady Bucks who wrote history last weekend when they defeated ANU Panthers with only two players on the court take on JKUAT Lynx at Magadi Primary School in Kisumu.
KBF Premier League weekend fixtures
Saturday
Zetech Sparks v Eagle Wings-Nyayo, 12pm
KU Oryx v ANU Panthers-Nyayo, 2pm
UON Dynamites v Equity Hawks-Nyayo, 4pm
Sunday
Lady Bucks v JKUAT Lynx-Migosi Primary, 11am
Strathmore Swords v Storms-Nyayo, 11am
UON Dynamites v Zetech Sparks-Nyayo, 12.30pm
Equity Hawks v KU Oryx-Nyayo, 2pm
Umoja v Thunder-Nyayo, 4pm