KNBL: Obilo ditches Zetech Sparks for Stanbic Aces in ambitious switch

Kenya National Women's Basketball League (KNBL) debutants Stanbic Aceve appointed immediate former Zetech Sparks tactician Maurice “Coach Obie” Obilo as their new head coach.

The move comes as Stanbic Aces aim to develop their squad and improve competitiveness, following a season in which the team finished 6th in the league standings with a 13–9 record.

The team qualified for the playoffs but were eliminated 2–0 by Equity Hawks in the first round.

They also suffered heavy defeats against league powerhouses, including Kenya Ports Authority (91–44), Strathmore Swords (55–43), and Equity Hawks (74–48), highlighting the need for experienced leadership to help them challenge the top sides.

Obilo brings immense coaching experience, having led Zetech Sparks from April 2014 to February 2026.

During his 12-year tenure at Zetech University, he achieved significant milestones, including making Sparks a perennial feature in the postseason, in which they reached the last four in the last two seasons.

They won multiple KUSA championships in both 3X3 and regular basketball, leading the team in regional competitions, including the Women’s Basketball League Africa (WBLA) Zone Five qualifiers and building a reputation for developing young, student-athlete rosters and rebuilding squads after player turnover

Before Zetech, Obilo also coached the Footprints Ladies Basketball team and played in the KBF Premier League for Nairobi Aviation College, giving him a broad perspective on player development and competitive basketball in Kenya.

By bringing in Obilo, Stanbic Aces are clearly signaling their ambition to move up the table, challenge the league’s powerhouses, and build a more resilient and competitive squad.

Enthusiasts suggest his proven track record and ability to nurture talent could be pivotal in helping the Aces close the gap with Kenya’s elite women’s basketball teams.

Obilo’s appointment is expected to bring discipline, tactical sophistication, and a development-focused approach to Stanbic Aces. At Zetech Sparks, he was known for structured offensive systems that emphasized ball movement, spacing, and high-percentage shots.

Defensively, his teams applied aggressive man-to-man coverage combined with rotational zone strategies to limit opponents’ scoring opportunities.

He has a proven ability to analyse opponents, adapt strategies mid-game, and maximise the strengths of his roster, particularly with young or student-athlete squads.

Beyond on-court tactics, Obilo is recognised for building team cohesion, mentoring players in leadership, and fostering resilience under pressure, all of which translated into consistent playoff appearances, finals runs, and KUSA championships at Zetech.

For Stanbic Aces, this tactical vision and holistic approach could be the catalyst that transforms them from a mid-table team into serious title contenders, able to compete with the league’s elite sides and develop a sustainable winning culture.