Equity seek to break semis jinx

Equity Bank are looking forward to make it to the finals as they prepare to tackle United States International University(USIU) in the Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) women’s Premier League semis playoff at the Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi this weekend.

The clash between the two sides was halted last December by KBF as USIU were engaged in the tenth edition of East Africa Inter Universities Games that were staged at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) in Juja.

Equity head coach David Maina said they are taking the clash seriously as they have a mission to smash the semis finals barrier that has always been their undoing in the league.

“As you know, this team is only three years old since inception.

“This is our second year in the Premier League and I can say we have given a good account of ourselves given the duration we have been in this league,” Maina said.

Maina explained that he and the team members were working tirelessly to go beyond the semi-final berth, which was their highest achievement last season. Interestingly, it is the same USIU who edged them in last year’s playoffs in the semis.

“We went down 3-2 to USIU in the semis play-off last season.

I can say USIU managed to beat us in the hot clash because of the experience they have gathered in the years they have been in the game, but this one will be a different ball-game altogether as we will come out with guns blazing. May the best team win,” said Maina.

Despite being a relatively new side in the league as compared to their opponents, Maina is hopeful the experience gathered by three of his players who had the opportunity to take part in the recently concluded Fiba Africa Clubs Basketball Championship in Maputo, Mozambique will count in the game.

Equity also boast of acquiring the services of former KBF Most Valuable Players, including Samba Mjomba, Hilda Indasi and Mercy Wanyama, who were instrumental in their qualification for the playoff.

Maina said his side is keen to represent the country internationally and beating USIU to sail to the finals will automatically give them that slot to represent Kenya at this year’s Fiba Africa Zone V Clubs Basketball Challenge.