Thunder lay in wait for USIU as the battle for playoffs qualification hots up

Thunder are currently working hard to improve their fourth place finish in the Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) men’s Premier League last season. The spirit is evident in their latest outing which has seen them rake in points to perch themselves at third place on the log where they are tied at 34 points apiece with Blades.

This weekend, Thunder will face a reality check which will either seal their playoff deal or scatter it into oblivion as the league reaches its penultimate stage. Thunder are definitely faced with an uphill task on how to tackle the Fiba Africa Zone V Clubs Basketball championship fourth place finishers United States International University (Usiu) who were league runners up last season behind defending champions Ulinzi Warriors.

This clash pitting the two sides currently scrambling to seal their playoffs positions is set for this Saturday at Nyayo National Stadium gymnasium in Nairobi and the teams are leaving nothing to chance.

“If we beat USIU then we will be rest assured of our playoff position, if they beat us we will have to square it off with Strathmore, who again are very worthy opponents, in our last match of the league. But this weekend match is a must win for us, we have no any other option,” Thunder coach Sadat Gaya narrated.

In order to fulfill this obligation, Sadat is stepping up training with his charges at their base in Shauri Moyo where they are perfecting various skills to help them dislodge from the race. Gaya says he has had pep talk with his players and they have all agreed to give their all to finish the league the league at a respectable position this season.

“We want to win this league so as to qualify for the next year’s Fiba Zone V Clubs Basketball Championship, this is an ultimate dream for my players now,” Gaya said.

“We have never been to this regional tournament leave alone winning the KBF trophy, but we are set and willing to dedicate our lives at this crucial stage we have reached so as to have any meaningful outcome in the league,” the coach added.

Gaya is also proud that the five players he signed this year including Matt Gaton (Nakuru Club), Abel Nson (Usiu), Kush Girian Diriye (KPA), Fred Eshitemi (Catholic University) and Robert Juma (Mount Kenya University) have been instrumental to the team.

Team captain Griffins Ligare says he can’t wait to play at the regional tournament with Thunder and is the reason all the players are giving their all in the league.

“We are currently perfecting our skills on defense, shooting, offence, speed and ball control. I am glad that we have no major casualty in the team in form of injuries,” he said. Ligare who has been so outstanding for Thunder in the league says winning their two remaining fixture against Usiu and Strathmore will seal their playoff position perfectly without any board room decisions.

But Usiu head Coach George Mayienga who is also currently shaping up his charges at their base along Thika Road has warned Thunder to brace for a bruising battle as they will not take any salvo from the opponents lying down.

“Even us we are in the same situation, winning against Thunder will take us closer to the playoff which we can’t wait to qualify for. This match will go either side,” said Myaienga.

Already Ulinzi (35 points) and Co-op Bank Spartans(39 ) have sealed for themselves playoffs semis while Usiu(31), Equity Bank(31),Kenya Ports Authority(28), Thunder (34)and Blades(34) are in the race for the last four slots remaining.

The first two teams in the standings gets automatic berth to the semis playoffs while the last four will battle to the best of three quarterfinals playoffs where the third team on the log meets the sixth team and the fourth team clash with the fifth team.

The two winners will join Ulinzi and Co- op Bank in the semis.

Fact Box

Current point’s standings

Co-op Bank 39 points

Ulinzi 35

Thunder 34

Blades 34

Equity Bank 31

6. KPA 28