Strathmore University Blades coach Tony Ochieng is exuding confidence ahead of the 2023 Kenya National Basketball League that tips off August 26.

The tactician said his target remains the finals but he also expects to finish in a better position in the regular season.

Ochieng, whose varsity side fell 2-0 to Thunder in last seasons’ quarter-finals, said he is happy with the work put in during pre-season.

Four players Jayson Nwodo, Daniel Bol, Jack Waweru and Washington Mwangi have been promoted from Division 1 and are good additions.

“I have now almost filled every position with three competitive players,” boasted Ochieng, who is also the national 3×3 men’s coach.

However, he revealed that two of his key players, guard Darill Omondi and shooter Garand Diing, have left the team.

“First game is always a competitive match as we are playing promoted side. We shall just play our solid defence and execute on offence,” he said.

Blades will take on debutants Absa on the opening day according to the fixtures released by Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) competition secretary Joseph Amoko.

There will be 10 games on Saturday and nine the following day. The top-tier matches will be played at Nyayo Stadium gymnasium.

Amoko said earlier plans to have the league start on Friday fell through as some teams indicated they are not ready.

“The teams I had on the programme for Friday gave excuses so we will now have the games start on Saturday instead,” Amoko said.

The other Premier League clashes will see Storms play Africa Nazarene University (ANU) Panthers while Umoja meet ANU Wolfpacks.

On Sunday, Strathmore University Swords welcome newcomers  Stanbic Shields in another women’s tie.

Absa and ANU Wolfpacks return for their second fixtures of the weekend against Thunder and United States International University (USIU) Tigers respectively.

In the lower tier matches, Snipers confront Moi Air Base (MAB) in a mouth-watering all-forces encounter.

The other men’s Division 1 match-up pits Stanbic Shields against National Bank of Kenya ‘Phoenix’ as Snipers target Neosasa.