First Bank Basketball Club head coach Julie Negedu has remained optimistic despite her team’s disappointing 82–53 loss to Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) at the Women’s Basketball League Africa (WBLA) tournament.
Though the scoreline was heavy, Negedu insists her side showed encouraging signs, especially in the opening minutes.
“We started with a lot of energy. There were positives to take, even though the result didn’t go our way,” she said.
First Bank came into the match needing a strong response after their opening defeat, and for a brief spell, the team looked sharp and aggressive.
But as the game progressed, KPA settled into rhythm and exposed First Bank’s weaknesses at both ends of the court.
Negedu identified lack of chemistry as the biggest culprit in the loss.
“Chemistry was a big issue today. We need better understanding and communication on the court. That’s something we must correct immediately,” she added.
The Elephant Girls struggled to cope with KPA’s ball movement and transition play, conceding several points off turnovers and missed defensive assignments. Negedu admitted that her side lost structure after the first quarter.
“We had a strong first quarter, but after that, KPA punished our mistakes. They capitalised on every lapse,” she said.
Despite the shortcomings, the coach praised her players’ fighting spirit, noting that resilience will be crucial as they continue their WBLA campaign.
“Even when the game got away from us, the players kept pushing. That mentality is important for what lies ahead,” she stated.
Negedu emphasised the need for a swift reset, stressing that First Bank must treat the defeat as a learning opportunity rather than a setback.
“We have to go back to the drawing board. There’s no time to dwell on the loss. We need to fix the problems and prepare better for the next game,” she said.
With more matches ahead, Negedu believes First Bank still has the quality to compete.
“This loss is not the end. We will adjust, regroup, and come out stronger. The next performance will be better, that I can assure,” she concluded.
