L. MathekaUON Dynamites rebuilding ahead of 2021 season
Reading Time: 2min | Sat. 06.02.21. | 07:28
The varsity side made a return to the league, after more than 20 years, and reached the KBF women's league semi final in the 2019 season
University of Nairobi, Dynamites’ head coach Juma Kent is rebuilding his side following the exit of a majority of his 2019 squad members who helped the team reach the Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) women’s league playoff semi-final.
Making a return to the top tier in the 2019 season after a long absence, Kent’s charges held their own against experienced league sides to lose 3-0 in the best-of-five semi-final against eventual champions Equity Bank Hawks in a fairy-tale season.
Equity Hawk Samba Mjomba drives past an opponent in the game 3 matchup against UON Dynamites. pic.twitter.com/xeeBrvmrl5
— Equity Bank Kenya (@KeEquityBank) December 5, 2019
The side began the season with a target of being in the top eight teams at the conclusion of the regular season for a chance at the playoffs. Despite the vicious cycle of missing players for crucial matches due to exams and other school-related reasons, Kent propelled his side to the semi after beating Zetech University 2-0 in the best-of-three quarter-final.
“We just began training and even so, I am yet to have my full squad as some are yet to report to school. I am incorporating many first and second-year players as we have lost quite a number of the first team players. Others will be held up with either industrial attachments or final year schedules that allow for little time for the sport,” said Kent.
Valerie Kemunto who was a star player for the varsity side has since decamped to rivals Zetech. A good rebounder and blocker, Kemunto’s absence leaves big shoes to be filled as her arrival from Kisii University in 2019 helped Kent’s charges in their dream season.
Noel Kuloba, Kavata Mutisya, former skipper Ann Nduta and Scovian Anyango are not part of Kent’s plans for the season having graduated and unavailable to keep playing for Dynamites.
“Another key player, our captain Triza Akeyo is in her fifth year of her civil engineering course and, as expected, it will be a demanding year for her academically and that will affect her availability on the court. Multi-talented Sharon Gaceri on attachment too and that affects her training hours. The two, alongside Liz Okumu and Faith Atieno, will be our most experienced players this season,” added Kent.
The KBF league is scheduled to jump off on February 13 with Dynamites set to take on Masaku Sparks on February 14 in their season opener barring changes.
