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L. MathekaBlow for KPA with key players set to miss Zone Five tournament
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Reading Time: 2min | Mon. 15.11.21. | 12:00
The dockers last won the championship in 2017 while Hawks won in 2018.
Coach Antony Ojukwu remains confident that his charges Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) will hold their own, in their quest to reclaim the FIBA Africa Zone Five Club Championship title in the competition set for 18 to 23 November in Dar es Salaam without key players.
The dockers left the country early Monday 15 November, morning for the coastal city of Tanzania where the tactician is hoping to use their early arrival to tighten any loose ends in his squad as they look to reclaim the title last won in 2017 at the same venue.
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Ojukwu, however, is scratching his head over the absence of siblings Seline and Celia Okumu as well as veteran shooting guard Hilda Indasi, the trio missing out due to work and school commitment.
“Missing the three is a big blow. Indasi and Celia could not get release letters from their respective employers on such short notice while Celine has exams. They are an integral part of the team and it will be tough to do battle without them. However, this is a chance for the youngsters to step up,” said coach Ojukwu.
[Video] Equity hawks soar to victory in Tanzania: Equity hawks soared to victory in clinching the fiba Africa zone five women’s club basketball championship edging Kenya ports authority 70 – 54 in the fin.. https://t.co/NqCargrOQw
— Breaking News (@News_Kenya) October 8, 2018
In 2017, Ojukwu led the dockers to clinch the title in an all-Kenyan final against Equity Hawks with the bankers gaining their revenge the following year. The last edition held in 2019 was won by Uganda’s Dolphine and the Kenyan teams are eager to reclaim the title.
So far, eight teams have confirmed participation in the zone five championship including the two Kenyan representatives, the Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) women’s league champions Hawks and KPA, Burundi’s Gladiator, Ethiopia’s Wolkite, Rwandese duo of REG and Hoops BBC as well as hosts JKT and Don Bosco.
“The Rwandese teams remain our biggest threat seeing as the Ugandan teams are yet to confirm participation. It has been a tough preparation as our approval came late and we only had three days of a crash programme to prepare. Having been active in the local league, however, I am not very worried about the team,” added Ojukwu.
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