Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) men’s Division Two debutants, Kisii Raptors are confident of reigning supreme in the play-offs and in turn earn promotion.

They are scheduled to square off with Jomo Kenyatta University of Science and Technology (JKUAT) in the three-legged playoffs roundup and coach Hillary Simba is composed, adding that his charges are ready to pick the first leg win and position themselves well to progress as they host JKUAT at Kisii University on Saturday.

Simba is self-assured of a good result in the match after the timely boost of the return of three key players and the tactician says that despite facing tough JKUAT who won the league regular season unbeaten, they’re ready to play for the name and respect.

“This time round I believe having point guard Vinny Onsongo (Makaveli) in great form, and also having our veteran Romanus Nehondo back in the team as well as young blood Nick Otindo (nickdee), we stand a chance to stand our ground and defend the land,” Kisii Raptors coach Hillary Simba told People Sports.

“We have had our training more often trying to check how we have been losing games and I believe the team is up to the task and with the great help of David Obungu always supporting us, we surely will put up a fight and I just trust my teammate more than I do myself,” Simba added.

Raptors lost by 13 points in their league regular season and Simba said the Stray Cats are a good team but remained positive saying that with a good strategy they shall excel this time around.

The action begins across the country with top six teams battling each other for league title and promotion where league regular season second-placed Shoot 4 Life are scheduled to take on sixth-placed Nebulas, third place Mab will have a date with fifth place Mustang as Neosasa wrap up top six teams playoffs against Baobab Blazers of Mombasa.

The race for the league title and promotion to KBF premier league also hots up in both men and women Division One League, the second tier league, as men’s Division One League regular season toppers ANU, runner’s up Zetech University, Coastal Kings, KDF Morans, and Blazers will be seeking to outsmart each other for a place in the premier league while in the women’s league, leaders JKUAT face Coastal Queens, Eldonets lock horns with Kisii University,  KCA U play MMU as FootPrints come face to face with Western Delight.