The confrontation is renewed between Al-Qadsiya and Kazma.

KUWAIT CITY, Dec 14: Two matches are set to take place in the Basketball Merge League at the Union Hall in the Sheikh Saad Al-Abdullah Complex. The action begins at 5:00 pm with an evenly matched game between Al-Sulaibikhat and Al-Arabi. Later, at 7:00 pm, a heavyweight clash between Al-Qadsiya and Kazma promises to be the highlight of the evening.

The encounter between Al-Qadsiya and Kazma stands out as the most anticipated match. Al-Qadsiya currently leads with six points, thanks to three consecutive victories over Al-Tadamon, Al-Yarmouk, and Al-Qurain. Meanwhile, Kazma has accumulated five points, with wins against Al-Arabi and Al-Nasr, but suffered a setback against Al-Sulaibikhat in their league opener.

Al-Qadsiya’s American coach, Anthony Stephen, is determined to secure the league title in his third season, adding a prestigious accomplishment to his tenure. Stephen is well-prepared for the challenge, having faced Kazma multiple times last season, including their victory in the Federation Cup final with a 97-92 scoreline. His squad features key players such as Abdulaziz Al-Humaidi, Mohammed Ashkanani, Abdul Mohsen Al-Moussawi, and Rashed Al-Rabah, supported by foreign professionals David Elono and Tomislav Sobjec.

On the other hand, Kazma aims to bounce back from their loss to Al-Sulaibikhat with a crucial win over one of their main title rivals. Montenegrin coach Igor Gjović will rely on the leadership of captain Ahmed Al-Balushi, the versatility of Youssef Burahma, and the contributions of Abdulrahman and Saho Al-Saho. It is further bolstered by its international stars, American Juan Johnson and Canadian Johnny Brahnemskel, who will be pivotal in its quest for victory.

By Khaled Al-Enezi

Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff