KPA bolster squad ahead of WBL-Africa qualifiers

In their quest to defend their Zone Five title and qualify for December's Women's Basketball League-Africa (WBL-Africa), Antony Ojukwu has bolstered the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) squad. 

The reigning African silver medalists are set to face off with ten other sides for two slots to the final of the competition, last year run as the Africa Women's Basketball League (AWBL) and previously as the Champions Cup. 

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The former Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) champions have brought in four new signings led by Nigerian International Nkem Akariwe who led Customs to the AWBL last year. Her side beat Kenyan champions Equity Hawks in the fifth place match then. 

The 27-year-old joins alongside Veronica Keita from Benin who represented ASPAC in the AWBL last year. Also ropped in are Alima Doumbia from Cote d’Ivoire and Rwandese talent Chantal Kiyobe who featured for Zetech Sparks until last season. Kiyobe is signed for the season, according to Ojukwu. 

"We had good preparations for the last two weeks, and I believe we are ready to defend our championships. I have no injuries, and the players morale is sky-high," the coach offered.

Congolese forward Grace Irebu and Malian Aminatta Samassekou who were part of KPA last season add to the side's depth. Irebu featured for Hawks in last year’s AWBL bug switched camp as the season begun. 

KPA team list

1. Natalie Akinyi

2. Alando Linda

3. Belinda Okoth 

4. Hilda Ndegwa

5. Rachael Wandago

6. Rebecca Nkatha

7. Annerose Mandela

8. Vilma Owino

9. Yvonne Akinyi

10. Grace Irebu

11. Aminatta Samassekou

12. Hilda Indasi

13. Selina Okumu

14. Nkem Akariwe

15. Keita Veronica

16. Alima Doumbia

17. Chantal Kiyobe

18. Emily Rawayo

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