KUSA run gives us momentum ahead of KBF league: Kent

University of Nairobi (UoN) Dynamites had a good run in the just concluded Kenya Universities Sports Association (KUSA) games held in Mombasa this weekend and coach Juma Kent believes their run gives them a good footing as they open their Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) league action this weekend.

Kent’s charges finished as runners-up to Zetech Sparks in the nine-team competition that also had hosts Technical University of Mombasa (TUM), Daystar, Chuka, Kenyatta (K.U), Taita Taveta, Pwani and Kisii Universities. The weekend tournament also included track and field action.

Dynamites faced hosts TUM and Chuka in their group stage matches of the KUSA competition, winning 46-33 and 40-28 respectively. At the quarter’s stage, Dynamites beat Pwani University 29-16 to book a semis berth where they faced the hosts again for a 49-36 win. In the final, Kent’s charges lost 54-25 to a better Sparks.

Sparks were unbeaten in the competition on their way to lifting the KUSA title. The Maurice Obilo-coached Sparks picked 57-23 and 60-9 wins against Daystar and Taita Taveta in the group stage before seeing off Kisii University 72-22 in the quarters.

Up against K.U in the semi, Obilo’s charges were unstoppable as they picked a 23-point win in a 46-23 outcome to book the final berth against Dynamites. 

“Zetech are a good team in all areas. Their post players are good and that is how they managed to beat my squad in the KUSA games. After staying this long without playing, I am glad the KUSA competition came before the league action as it has given me an insight on what we need to work on as well as a chance for the squad to gel,” said coach Kent.

Dynamites open their league action on Saturday, 13 March against K.U at Nyayo Indoor Arena. Despite losing some key players in the run to the 2021 season, coach Kent believes they have a chance to fight for their first win in the 2021 season against Gitau Waringo’s side.