Red-hot Thunder face off with high flying Eldonets Platinum
Basketball
By
Elizabeth Mburugu
| Jan 18, 2025
Eldonets Platinum's perfect run in the Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) men's Premier League race will be put to test today when they lock horns with defending champions Nairobi City Thunder at their Eldoret backyard.
Platinum, who are second on the table, will be hoping to survive the Thunder strike and make it five wins out of five. However, they face an uphill task against a well-oiled Thunder machine that is keen to successfully defend the league title.
Fresh from making history as the first Kenyan side to qualify for the prestigious Basketball Africa League, Thunder will be looking to exert dominance. Tomorrow, former champions Ulinzi Warriors, who have won two and lost two, will lock horns with Umoja at Nyayo Gymnasium.
In the women's title race, Eldonets who are currently eighth on the table will entertain Th3 Swish in Eldoret in a bid to consolidate their spot in the top eight and increase their chances of sealing a playoffs slot. The two sides are tied on four points from three encounters.
At Nyayo, winless Storms who are second from the bottom will be looking to register victory when they play sixth placed Strathmore Swords.
Tomorrow, Storms will be in action against Zetech Sparks, who are eyeing their third win. The students will be looking to maintain their winning streak despite having just resumed training.
Zetech coach Maurice Obilo said that he expects his charges to give their all on the court, being their first match after the long break.
"We are not full house because the players are getting back from holidays, but the fixture is there and we must honour it. We have prepared to our level best with the available players and we will show up and play well," Obilo said.
He added that he is rebuilding his team following the departure of key players who graduated.
"We are focused on the season though we don't expect much from the inexperienced players. Our main objective is to build the team so we will not pressurize them, we just want to learn."
In men's Division One, leaders Lakeside who are determined to secure their return to the Premier League will be in hunt for maximum points at Nyayo.
Lakeside, who have been in brilliant form winning all their matches, will be out to extend their unbeaten run when they take on Moi Airbase (MAB) and Neosasa today and tomorrow respectively.
Double victory will see the Kisumu-based side stretch their lead to 16 points from eight matches.
Third-placed ABSA Bank, who have so far won four matches and lost two will play, Snipers are currently fifth on the log with nine points from four wins and a loss.
In women's Division One, Eagle Wings will take on Kenya University (KU) Oryx in a quest to chalk their first win of the season. Other Division One matches will be played at the University of Nairobi.