This archive report was first published on 1 November 2019.
On Saturday, Ulinzi Warriors and newcomers Eldonets will face off in the quarter-final play-offs of the men's Premier League at Nyayo National Stadium gymnasium.
Published on November 1, 2019, Eldonets, who are headed into the history books of qualifying for the semi-final for the first time, rocked experienced Thunder 63-53 in Game One in Eldoret.
Ulinzi Warriors, on the other hand, started their campaign to lift their eighth championship with a narrow 80-78 victory over much-improved Lakeside in Kisumu.
With the best-of-three series hanging in the balance, the two teams will only need to register second victories in the afternoon to become the first sides to book their passage to the semi-finals.
However, Thunder and Lakeside cannot be ruled out and can stretch the series to a decisive final Game Three. Should the two avenge defeat, the series will stretch to Sunday at the same venue.
According to Eldonets coach Maurice Ouma, the team has every reason to win Game Two again because they have now beaten their opponents twice with a 10-point margin.
“We have seriously worked on our previous mistakes with a strategy of reducing international point guard Griffins Ligare’s scoring chances to realise our dream,” Ouma said.
Thunder are seeking to win their first league title after several attempts and their coach Collins Gaya must pull off a remarkable fight back to remain in the running.
“We failed to execute critical baskets and our defence also leaked. Our opponents had a great game at their backyard and we must work extra hard to counter-attack their aggressive offense,” said Gaya.
