Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) men’s premier league reigning champions Ulinzi Warriors will not be in action this weekend as former champions Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) host two crucial fixtures at their backyard in Makande Hall, Mombasa.

The Warriors, who are top of the men’s premier league table standings with 31 points from 15 wins and one defeat, are getting ready to travel to Dar es Salaam Tanzania to take part in the second edition of the Basketball Africa League (BAL) qualifiers scheduled to take place between October 26 and 31.

KPA, on the other hand, are seeking to take advantage of Ulinzi being away to move up the ladder when they welcome tough nut and wondered Strathmore University Blades tomorrow Saturday, and last year’s finalists Nairobi City Thunder on Sunday.

KPA who are the only other team in the league besides reigning champions Ulinzi Warriors to lose one match so far, sit fifth with 21 points though they have played five matches less than the Ulinzi, while Blades are eighth on the log with 16 points from five victories and six defeats in their 11 matches and Thunder are fourth in the league with 22 points having played 14 matches, winning eight and losing six.

“We’re at home this weekend, we have prepared well, and I want to thank the management for allowing the team to remain behind in Mombasa after a tough win against Equity last weekend.

Mostly I was working on the team chemistry both defense and offence, shooting,  and endurance, so we’re ready for our opponents this weekend.

We won against them in Nairobi in the first leg, but I am not going to take advantage of those wins but I will treat this weekend’s games with the respect it deserves,”  KPA men’s coach Sammy Kiki told PD Wikendi.