Equity Bank Dumas coach admits to pressure as his side eyes maiden National League final

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BASKETBALL Equity Bank Dumas coach admits to pressure as his side eyes maiden National League final

Abigael Wafula 08:47 - 13.05.2023

In their opening match against former champions Ulinzi Warriors, the bankers played a tactical game that saw them off to a good start with a 69-58 win.

Equity Bank Dumas coach Carey Oketch has admitted to pressure as they eye their first appearance in the final of the Kenya Basketball Federation National League.

The bankers have had a great run that saw them emerge top in the regular season and as they started their playoff campaign, Oketch believes it’s time to get them to the final.

“There is a lot of pressure because this team has been there for long and we have never had the chance to get into the final. Last year, we were getting there but we lost one game," said Oketch.

"I think this year we should make it to the final. The pressure is there…everyone knows that we have to win the next games and ultimately try and win the championship,” he added.

In their opening match of the best of five playoff against former champions Ulinzi Warriors, the bankers played a tactical game that saw them off to a good start with a 69-58 win.

However, Oketch insists there’s still more to do ahead of their clash with the Warriors in their second game at the Nyayo gymnasium on Saturday.

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“The game was very physical but we were able to read in between and get points. We did not shoot very well and I hope we shall do better going forward. We need to be more composed in our next games because it is very crucial if we want to achieve our targets," said Oketch.

The first game is usually a gauging one for us to know what works and what doesn’t and we shall rectify going forward. The game was very tense and I think we should be better in the next matches,” he said.

In another match played at the Nyayo National Stadium on Friday night, youngsters Zetech Sparks upset former champions Equity Hawks to secure a 75-72 win in the women’s KBF play-offs. Their Game Two is scheduled for Sunday at the same venue.