The on-off 2023 Kenya National Basketball League will now tip off Friday with two matches on the card at the Nyayo Stadium, the Kenya Basketball Federation has announced.

As per the amended fixtures released on Wednesday by KBF competitions secretary Joseph Amoko, there are a total of 18 matches spread within the opening three days in five venues.

Amoko revealed that all issues that deferred the start of the league last week have been sorted out.

“We are now ready for the season opener. There are two matches this Friday and it will be followed by weekend matches at the same venue. There will also be matches in Mombasa and Kisumu as well,” said Amoko.

“The venues for all the matches have been secured and what is left is to assign the match referees. This will be done before we start off.”

The big game on Friday will see former national champions Ulinzi Warriors take on Strathmore University Blades.

The opening match of the new season will be a Division One match pitting Strathmore University's second tier team against newly-promoted Snipers. The match will tip off at 6 pm.

Amoko has programmed a total of 18 games over that weekend, with 13 of them on Saturday. They will involve Division One, Two and Premier for both women and men categories.

Storms play Africa Nazarene University (ANU) Panthers while Strathmore University Swords host visitors Eldonets in the women’s Premier League. ANU Wolpacks will meet Eldonets Platinum.

There will be matches outside the city as Congo Nets play Brooklyn Boys in Mombasa. National school champions Butere Girls will host Western Delight in their backyard.

At the Kenyatta Sports Ground in Kisumu, newly-promoted Urbanville will welcome home Kakamega-based Nebulus while Lady Bucks have a date with Bungoma-based Swift.