Ulinzi Warriors head coach Bernard Mufutu says the former champions are pulling out all the stops to edge the reigning champions Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) in Sunday’s 2023 Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) Men’s Premier League tasty-looking fixture at Ulinzi Sports Complex, Nairobi.
KPA beat Ulinzi Warriors 80-61 in Game Five in 2022 to reclaim the crown they last won in 2017 but Mufutu is out to get even with the Porters.
The Soldiers, who conclude their regular season this weekend, top the league on 37 points after winning 16 fixtures and losing five while KPA are currently fourth on the log with 33 points after playing 17 matches, winning 16 and losing one.
“Being our last game we plan to go for the win, so we are doing preparations as usual, trying to rectify our mistakes. If you look at our previous game we failed to do a good job on our rebounding and we hope we will rebound better, share the ball better and go for the win,” Mufutu said.
At the same time, Mufutu says the regular season has been tough as most teams have improved.
“The season has been competitive, teams have improved as you can see, there is no easy match, and you just can’t walk on the court and expect to come out with a win everybody is fighting for.
“It has been a season full of mixed reactions, some tough losses, some good wins but from our end we are looking at the ultimate prize which is going for the league title.”
Mufutu’s opposite number Samuel Ocholla said he was ready for the would-be mouthwatering fixture.
“I believe we are well prepared and ready to continue from where we left from the last game,we expect nothing but a win as we prepare for the last games before playoffs.
“We have no major injury concerns, hence all healthy and ready,” he said.
