A series of mouth-watering games are lined up this weekend as the regular season of the 2024-2025 Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) League enters the homestretch at Nyayo Gymnasium.
While teams at the top of the table are looking for a great finish, those at the bottom are fighting for survival. Their spots in the Premier League solely depend on what they do in their remaining matches.
United States International University of Africa (USIU-A) Tigers and their Strathmore University counterparts, Blades, are staring at relegation as they remain stuck on the wrong end of the Men’s Premier League table.
Tigers are at the bottom with 19 points from 16 matches, while Blades are above them with one more point and a match at hand. Even so, National Bank of Kenya (NBK) Phoenix and University of Nairobi (UoN) Terror, who are 10th and ninth with 20 and 22 points from 16 encounters, are also not safe from the demotion axe.
Tigers will face off with Equity Bank Dumas and African Nazarene University (ANU) Wolfpacks today and tomorrow in must-win clashes that would revive their hopes of remaining in the top tier.
The students will be keen not to drop any points, for that would push them closer to demotion. Tigers have won three out of their 16 matches and will be looking to register their fourth when they take on the bankers today.
Strathmore Blades, who were once top league contenders, on the other hand, face an uphill task against second-placed former champions Ulinzi Warriors. The students, who have garnered 20 points from five wins and 10 losses, must beat the soldiers today and Umoja Basketball Club tomorrow to keep their hopes alive.
Blades have had a very dull season and have to make the best out of their remaining seven matches to maintain their spot in the top tier.
Terror will have everything to fight for this weekend when they play Stanbic Shields today. Currently ninth on the log, a victory for Terror would not just see them pull away from relegation but would also increase their chances of securing a play-offs slot. They have 22 points, two less than eighth place Eldonets Platinum and ANU Wolfpacks, who are seventh, whereas their opponents, Shields have 25 points.
However, they have played 16 matches, while Shields have played 19 and can only secure a maximum of six points from their remaining three. Warriors will tomorrow entertain Equity Dumas at Ulinzi Sports Complex. The soldiers, who are looking to recapture the title that has evaded them for years, are second on the table behind holders Nairobi City Thunder.
In the Women’s title hunt, holders Equity Bank Hawks will play compatriots Stanbic Aces tomorrow.
A win for Hawks will see them topple leaders Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) who will not be in action. KPA top the table with 33 points, one more than Hawks, who are second. Nonetheless, KPA have played 17, while Equity have accumulated their points from 19 outings. ANU Panthers will be out to move up the table when they play winless Storms today.