S. Gitahi2023 FIBA AfroCan: Okal explains absence as Kenya Morans team touches down in Luanda
Reading Time: 2min | Thu. 06.07.23. | 17:40
The team of 12 landed in Angola Thursday afternoon in readiness for the showpiece
Kenya Morans forward Ariel Okal has confirmed his absence from the Kenya Morans team expected to participate in the 2023 FIBA Men’s AfroCan Tournament scheduled for July 8 to 16 in Luanda, Angola.
The big man, who has been a regular sight for the men’s senior team, has cited ‘club commitments’ in his current club Dynamo BBC plying trade in the Viva Burundian Basketball League.
Won’t Be Able to be with the Kenya Morans @Teammorans due to club commitments. VBL playoffs clash with AfroCan 2023 tournament dates
— Ariel Okall (@th3doctor15) July 6, 2023
Sending all the positive vibes to the squad that will represent us. Moreso Ken Wachira and my guy Fidel Okoth go kill. #moranstotheworld
“I won’t be able to be with the Kenya Morans due to club commitments,” Okal, who was among the overseas players to be named by the Kenya Basketball Federation selectors in the Morans provisional squad posted on social media on Wednesday. “VBL playoffs clash with AfroCan 2023 tournament dates. Sending all the positive vibes to the squad that will represent us.”
The Kenyan international, who signed a short term deal with Dynamo BBC mid- May this year, will represent his team in the league playoffs expected to tip-off this weekend - 8 July- with his Game 1 of the semifinal rounds seeing his squad take on Remesha at the Department Grounds from 1700 EAT.
Okal signed a short term contract with the Oliver Ndayiragije side and isn't the only Kenyan playing in Burundi who will miss out on the team’s shortlist; with Urunani’s Paul Ereng pulling out of the team due to injury.
In a short statement, Okal, who averaged 6.5 points, 6.5 rebounds and 8.5 efficiency per game in the 2021 Afrobasket finals, also wished the best to his former teammates; Ken Wachira - currently unattached - and Fidel Okoth - suiting up in the Oman League - to ‘go kill.’
At the same time, the Moran’s squad of 12 players and head coaches Cliff Owour and his assistant Ancette Wafula departed to Angola early Thursday morning, where they trasited through Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, before landing in Luanda in the afternoon.
Kenya is placed in Group A where they will face off Gabon and Ivory Coast in a quest to better their silver medal garnered in the 2019 games in Bamako, Mali.
FULL SQUAD: Victor Bosire (captain), Eric Mutoro, Griffin Ligare, Eugene Adera, Ariel Ortega, Brian Shivachi, Derrick Ogechi, Victor Ochieng', Brandon Muchina, Fidel Okoth, Kenneth Wachira, Bush Wamukota.
