Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) head coach Nabil Kabalan has expressed delight after his team’s commanding 82–53 victory over Nigeria’s First Bank Basketball Club at the Women’s Basketball League Africa (WBLA) tournament, revealing that their preparation played a major role in the convincing result.
Kabalan said KPA had closely analysed First Bank’s first game of the competition and understood they would come out aggressively, especially after starting the tournament with a loss.
“We studied First Bank and knew they would start with a lot of energy because of their last result,” he said.
His prediction proved accurate as First Bank began the game with intensity, but KPA weathered the early storm before taking control with superior ball movement, spacing, and defensive discipline.
Kabalan praised his players for sticking to the game plan, absorbing pressure early, and executing better as the match wore on.
“The team handled the pressure well. We matched their intensity and gradually imposed our style,” he noted.
However, despite the emphatic win, the KPA coach stressed that his side is capable of much more, insisting that high-level teams must consistently produce performances beyond what was displayed in the victory.
“We can be better. High-level teams play better than what we showed today,” he admitted.
Kabalan highlighted areas where KPA still needs improvement, including decision-making under pressure, transition efficiency, and maintaining focus throughout all four quarters.
“We had some lapses, and we must fix those. Strong teams don’t allow themselves to switch off, even for a moment,” he explained.
The victory places KPA in a strong position in the WBLA campaign, but Kabalan remains cautious, noting that tougher challenges lie ahead.
“This is a good win, but the tournament is long. We must stay humble and prepare well for the next games,” he said.
He ended by praising the competitive spirit of First Bank, acknowledging that their aggression and pace provided valuable tests for his squad.
“First Bank pushed us. Matches like this help us grow. Now our aim is to keep improving with every game,” Kabalan concluded.
 head coach Nabil Kabalan has expressed delight after his team’s commanding 82–53 victory){kind=link}