KCCA Panthers guard Gaius Mahamba is confident his team can challenge for this season’s National Basketball League (NBL) title as they set their sights on a historic first championship.
The Panthers are buoyed by a solid first-round performance, recording six wins and two losses from eight games to place fourth on the league table.
Key victories over defending champions City Oilers and perennial contenders UCU Canons, along with consistent performances throughout the first round, have bolstered belief within the squad.
Mahamba, a key figure for the team, remains optimistic about their championship ambitions.
“As a team, we are going for the championship. A couple of losses won’t stop us from going hard. We’re fixing our mistakes early so we can make the final,” he said.
However, he emphasized the importance of game management and team cohesion if they are to meet their goal.
“Every team is bringing their best performance, so we have to believe in ourselves. We need to cut out small errors, like holding onto our leads, and ensure everyone contributes,” Mahamba added.
Looking ahead to their next fixture against JKL Dolphins on Saturday, Mahamba acknowledged the challenge but remains confident.
“Our guards and bigs can match up with them. We just have to stop their transition game to get the win.”
The KCCA Panthers reached the playoffs last season but were eliminated in the first round after a 2-1 loss in the best-of-three series.
