Mufutu upbeat of guiding Ulinzi Warriors past KU Pirates on Saturday

Ulinzi Warriors' Collins Sudi and Bash Ogembo (left) of Lakeside during Kenya Basketball Premier league match at Gymnasium Nyayo National stadium. October 2, 2022. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Ulinzi Warriors head coach Bernard Mufutu 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 on Saturday (4pm) at Nyayo Gymnasium in Nairobi.

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 is determined to end their first leg on a high note.

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

"Well the team has been training well and the focus will be on striving to play good team basketball on both ends of the floor. KU is a much-improved side from the matches I have watched them play and it's a team no one should take for granted."

"My first leg has been more of a learning curve and as a team we trying to put together the lacking pieces together in order to achieve a favorable result as we progress into the second leg," said Mufutu.