Kisumu’s Lakeside redefine Division One basketball under ex-Thunder coach
By Bosco Magare, January 9, 2025
Kisumu City-based Lakeside men’s basketball team is riding high after winning six consecutive Division One League games under the leadership of former Thunder coach Emmanuel Ochieng’.
With eyes set on reclaiming their premier league status as the “Lakeside Thunder”, the team has rallied behind Ochieng’s mantra, “Back to Premier League,” and benefitted from the recent addition of two former Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) players.
Speaking to People Sport yesterday, Ochieng’, a former Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) player fondly known as ‘Ajush’ credited the team’s success to a structured playing culture and the players’ commitment to the process.
He noted that Lakeside has defeated several formidable teams, including Zetech University, Strathmore University, Absa, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) and Kenyatta University (KU), as part of their mission to reclaim their 2022-2023 premier league status.
“We decisively won the six games, both away and at our Kisumu City home ground, Jomo Kenyatta Sportsground,” Ochieng’ maintained.
“Away at Nyayo National Stadium Gymnasium, we thrashed Zetech University 60-42 and beat Strathmore University 36-28. At the Ulinzi Sports Complex, we overpowered Absa 79-62 and JKUAT 108-70. At home, we dominated Kenyatta University 72-46 and outclassed Coastal Kings 92-56 before the Christmas break.”
He further expressed his determination to transform Lakeside into a top-flight team capable of facing the newly crowned KNBL Premier League champions, Nairobi City Thunder, upon their promotion.
He attributed the team’s unbeaten streak to the structured and systematised playing culture he has introduced, which ensures each player understands their role and adheres to the process rather than worrying about game results.
“So far, the players trust the process. Once it’s followed, the results take care of themselves,” he explained.