Kenya: Mariga Inspires Sprite Storms

Nairobi Star (Nairobi)

Dann O’werre

8 June 2011

Inter Milan star MacDonald Mariga’s presence at the Nyayo Stadium gymnasium on Sunday inspired Sprite Storms to one of their most convincing wins in the women’s Premier League.

The Harambee Stars midfielder watched from the stands, as Storms breezed past Co-operative Bank of Kenya 47-39. In Sprite’s line up was Mariga’s younger sister Mercy Wanyama.

Storms tactician Ben Oluoch said Mariga played a role in their success. ” I have never seen my players this upbeat in any of their last seven league matches. It was their fourth win out of eight in the two month old league and it remains their most convincing victory,” he said.

“His presence during the match was a real morale booster to the girls. He came to watch his sister play and after the game he told me that he wanted to meet the players. It was a huge lift,” said Oluoch, adding that his team had no prior notice Mariga was coming to attend the match.

Oluoch said after the game, Mariga, who turns out for Serie A side Inter Milan in the Italian league, promised to buy basketballs for the team to help them during training.

“He asked us to shop for some balls which he will buy. This was a kind gesture from him and we really appreciate. We will pay back by improving on our performance in our coming matches.”

Sprite had a storming game in which guards Angela Luchivya and sally Bosire never stopped running while Faustina Mandu and Quinter Ramogi hustled the opponents. Wanyama on her part towered above everyone else to pick the rebounds.

Eagle Wings tops the 12-team table with 17 points from nine ties. Strathmore University who maintained their unbeaten run with a 45-40 win over Gladiators are second on 16.

Lying third on 14 points are Western Delight who stunned champions Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) 34-32 in Kakamega. KPA are third on 14.The dock women have 12 points with Storms fifth on 12.

Champions Co-operative Bank of Kenya, who remain unbeaten, top the men’s table with 14 points from seven games while KCB Lions are placed second with 12 points.

Meanwhile, Strathmore University maintained their unbeaten run in the women’s Premier League when they pipped Gladiators 45-40 in a closely fought encounter at Nyayo Stadium. The students raced off the blocks early building a double digit point margin before Gladiators battled back to close in 21-24 at the break.

In a nip and tuck third and fourth quarter, the losers took the lead, only for the gritty and fitter Swords to take over the proceedings with a few minutes left breaking off a 39-39 tie. Faith Owich collected game high 26 points for the victors while Gladiators had 10 a piece from Getrude Sagala and Pam Cinda.

AllAfrica – All the Time