Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) head coach Samuel Ocholla faces a delicate balancing act as the defending champions prepare for the Zone Five Club Basketball Championship in Tanzania while awaiting a new date for their National Women’s Basketball Premier League final against Equity Hawks.
The best-of-five series was scheduled to tip off with back-to-back games on Saturday and Sunday. However, a last-minute postponement disrupted KPA’s plans to conclude their domestic campaign before turning their attention to the regional championship, which begins on October 17.
Ocholla expressed frustration with the timing of the postponement, saying his players had completed their preparations and were mentally ready to compete.
“The girls were ready to play, and we had very good preparations. We were well prepared and wanted to finish the league, put it behind us, and then focus on preparing for Zone Five. However, some things are usually beyond our control,” said Ocholla.
The Dockers must now maintain their competitive rhythm while adjusting their training schedule in Mombasa as they await confirmation of the new final dates.
KPA booked their place in the final in commanding fashion, sweeping TH3 Swish 3-0 in the semi-finals. They opened with an 80-42 victory at Nyayo Gymnasium, won Game Two 62-49 and completed the sweep with an 83-42 triumph at Makande Gymnasium in Mombasa.
Equity, meanwhile, overcame Stanbic Aces 3-2 to secure their place in the final. After losing the opener 66-60 and Game Three 56-53, the Hawks bounced back with a 68-36 victory in Game Four before sealing qualification with an 82-64 win in the decisive match.
Ocholla said the postponement had forced the team to adjust its plans but insisted that maintaining focus remained the priority.
“We cannot afford to lose our rhythm because the final has been postponed. We have to remain ready whenever the new dates are communicated,” he added.
KPA won the Zone Five title in 2023 before reaching the Women’s Basketball League Africa (WBLA) final in 2024, where they lost to Egypt’s Alexandria Sporting Club. In 2025, they finished third at the Zone Five qualifiers in Nairobi before placing sixth at the continental championship in Cairo.
The Tanzania assignment offers another opportunity to compete for regional honours and pursue continental qualification.
Equity last won the domestic title in 2024, edging KPA 76-74 in overtime in Game Five. The Hawks will now seek to reclaim the crown, while the Dockers aim to defend it despite the demanding schedule.
“Our objective has always been to defend the title,” said Ocholla, stressing that his players must remain focused when the final resumes.
