NAIROBI (Premier League) – FORMER national champions Co-operative Bank of Kenya have found out that winning a Premier League game these days is a hard thing really.
The bankers fell for the fifth time in as many games when USA based Peter Kiganya led Sprite Stormers to a deserved 87-75 win over Co-operative Bank of Kenya at Nyayo National Stadium gymnasium. The national team forward was all over the courts running, scoring, defending and frustrating Co-op Bank into submission. It was the bankers worst start in many years.
Co-op led 23-21 in the first quarter but trailed 39-37 at the break. In the third quarter Kiganya and Dan Okwirri combination were just unstoppable as they scored at will building a 35 point cushion. He roared for a dunk for a 55-45 advantage, Okwirri made it 65-49 on a three pointer before Nelson Kobia turned the ball over at the sight of Kiganya who did a good job in containing Co-op guards.
A three point play by David Arika urged Stormers to a 68-49 margin and Okwirri beat the buzzer with another three for a 70-51 score line. Co-op were in tatters. Kiganya left the court with 3:43 minutes to play and without his intimidating presence, Co-op cut the lead to 72-85 before he returned in the dying seconds. On fire Kiganya showed the way with 21 points while Okwirri nailed 19 and Musa Odari sunk 10. For a sad Co-op, John Waruru bagged game high 26 and Cliff Ochieng 18.
Co-op’s team manager Ben Rateng, a former international player was distraught. He said in a post match interview that he did not know what was wrong with his boys despite doing everything for them.
United States International University (USIU), who has also failed to post a win in their two matches got a win at last with an easy 8053 win over Nakuru Club.
Yoni Wanambiro scored 19 points while George Baguma hit another 20 in that win for the students who were ahead 45-26 at half time.Richard Kanda led the Nakuru lads with 22 points.
Dann O’Were
