Zetech Sparks dare to dream in KNBL playoffs despite slim squad
Zetech Sparks players during their Kenya Basketball Federation League playoff final match against KPA at Nyayo national stadium on May 26, 2023. KPA won 68-38. (Photo/Sportpicha)
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The students wrapped up an incredible regular season by edging out defending champions Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) in a hard-fought battle, securing the top spot in the league standings last weekend.
“We had a slim bench. We really, really needed to work, and that is what we are doing. We were working tirelessly in practice to make sure everybody is in good shape to play, because this season we only registered 12 players. In practice, we really needed to work hard,” said Obilo.
Despite the squad depth challenge, Obilo believes finishing the regular season on top is a major psychological boost for his youthful squad ahead of the dreadful playoffs.
With confidence high but a slim bench and a relatively inexperienced roster, Sparks now turn their attention to the playoffs, where the real test begins.
Zetech, who only registered 12 players at the start of the season, have been struggling with a slim bench forcing them to work extra mile to achieve victories.
Last weekend, they played with just ten players as one was side-lined with an injury and another represented Kenya at the Africa Youth Nations League U-21 championship in Algeria.
“Finishing at the top, we can only say that it will give the girls confidence going into the playoffs. And that is what I wanted. I just needed them to be confident that they could actually do it. But, as you can see, they are young players. They have not played this game long. So we just need to keep them in check,” he added.
The Sparks are hoping to convert their regular-season dominance into a historic title win.
They will be facing Eldonets who finished eighth in the league standings during the quarterfinal playoffs best of three series in Game One on Sunday away in Eldoret.
Weekend Quarter Final Playoffs Fixtures
Nyayo Stadium
Friday, August 8
Stanbic Shields vs Nairobi City Thunder- MP- 8PM
Saturday, August 9
Nyayo Gymnasium
Strathmore Swords VS USIU Flames-WP- 12PM
UON Dynamites VS KPA- WP- 2PM
Stanbic Aces VS Equity Hawks- WP- 4PM
UON Terror VS KPA- MP- 6PM
Umoja VS Equity Dumas- MP- 8PM
Uasin Gishu Grounds, Eldoret
Eldonets VS Ulinzi Warriors- MP- 10AM
Sunday, August 10
Uasin Gishu Grounds, Eldoret
Eldonets VS Zetech Sparks- WP- 10AM
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