Thunder ready for new season, says captain Ligare

Thunder captain Griffin Ligare says he is optimistic his side will churn out positive results when they begin their Kenya Basketball Federation league season over the weekend.

Thunder will open their campaign with a clash against Lakeside on Saturday before facing Umoja on Sunday at the Nyayo Gymnasium.

“At club level, Covid-19 has disrupted our plans for the season not just for us but for everyone. We started late but we just have to play the games and then we will adjust from there,” he said.

The point guard who also captains the men’s national team says he expects form levels to differ among players in the squad due to training disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Some have trained as they have been training with Morans (national team) while others haven’t. It will take some time, maybe three or four weeks, but we will all get back to the same wavelength.”

Defending champions Ulinzi Warriors will take on Umoja on Saturday in the second match of the new campaign after defeating Eldonets 58-52 in their opener a fortnight ago.

The club’s head coach William Balozi says he is happy to welcome back two of his star players, Eric Mutoro and Joseph Khaemba, who were in Cameroon for national team assignment.

“We played first game outdoor and we were really affected with the wind but since we are training indoor and we will play at the gymnasium I am hoping game will be better as we have trained well,” he said.

WEEKEND FIXTURES

Saturday March 6

Women’s Premier League

Stomrs vs Kisumu Lady Bucks- 10:00 AM – Nyayo

Men’s Premier League

Thunder VS Lakeside – 12:00 PM- Nyayo

Terror VS EMYBA- 2:00 – Nyayo

Ulinzi VS Umoja- 4:00- Nyayo

Sunday March 7

Women’s Premier League

Strathmore VS Kisumu Lady Bucks- 11:30 AM – Nyayo

Men’s Premier League

EMYBA VS Lakeside – 1:00 PM- Nyayo

Umoja VS Thunder – 2:30 PM- Nyayo

Blades VS KCA U- 4:00 PM- Nyayo