Kenya Ports Authority head coach Samuel Ocholla is managing a disrupted lead-up to the Zone Five Club Basketball Championship in Tanzania after the National Women's Basketball Premier League final against Equity Hawks was postponed at short notice. The best-of-five series had been scheduled to open with back-to-back fixtures on Saturday and Sunday, allowing the Dockers to conclude their domestic campaign before travelling to the regional event, which tips off on October 17.
"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," Ocholla said.
KPA booked their place in the final by sweeping TH3 Swish 3-0 in the semi-finals, winning 80-42, 62-49 and 83-42 across games played at Nyayo Gymnasium and Makande Gymnasium in Mombasa. Equity overturned Stanbic Aces 3-2, losing the opener 66-60 and Game Three 56-53 before responding with a 68-36 win in Game Four and an 82-64 victory in the decider. The Hawks last won the domestic title in 2024, edging KPA 76-74 in Game Five overtime.
KPA won the Zone Five crown in 2023 and reached the Women's Basketball League Africa final in 2024, losing to Alexandria Sporting Club of Egypt. In 2025 they finished third at the Zone Five qualifiers in Nairobi and sixth at the continental championship in Cairo. "We cannot afford to lose our rhythm because the final has been postponed. We have to remain ready whenever the new dates are communicated," Ocholla added.
Our objective has always been to defend the title," he said.
