Kisumu Lakeside, Lady Bucks keen to redeem image

Kisumu Lakeside hope to return to winning ways when they host Eldonets and Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) in the Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) men’s premier league matches at Manyatta Arabs Primary School in Kisumu this weekend.

Lakeside endured a difficult start into this year’s campaign after failing to win their two matches, losing to Thunder 69-52 and Emyba 80-55 in Nairobi last weekend.

Lakeside captain Bail Ogembo said they learnt from their mistakes during their away matches. Ogembo said they have trained well throughout the week and are well prepared to take on Eldonets.

“We did not get the results we wanted in Nairobi, but this is why we love the game. We have winners and losers. However, this weekend we are at home and ready for the matches. We had few mistakes last week which we hope to rectify,” he said.

Lakeside will play Eldonets today at 12 noon at Manyatta Arabs Primary School after the closure of the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Sports Grounds for renovations before taking on KPA men’s basketball team tomorrow same time.

“Eldonets are a good side. We will have to approach the match tactically but we have to be aggressive from start to end because they can hurt you at your lowest.”

“KPA are veterans who are clinical and precise in their matches. Here, we have to defend well and make each basket count. We are lakeside and we will fight to the end,” Ogembo added.

Lakeside have been boosted with the return of veteran players Tim Adede, Isaiah kiyaka, Denis Wekesa and new signing Joshua Carter and Allan Kibira who missed last weekend matches.

In Nairobi, defending champions Ulinzi Warriors will be aiming to register their third win of the season when they take on KCA University at the Nyayo National Stadium Gymnasium.

Ulinzi had registered a narrow 58-52 win over Eldonets in their season opener before thrashing Umoja 67-49 last weekend. Tomorrow, they will take on Blades at the same ground.

In the KBF Women’s Premier League, Kisumu Lady Bucks will be aiming to start their season on a high note when they take on KPA at Manyatta Arabs.

Lady Bucks dished out two walkovers last weekend after failing to travel to Nairobi to play Storms and Strathmore University respectively.

KPA women eye a third consecutive win after defeating Zetech University and African Nazarene University in their opening two matches.