L. MathekaAfrican 3x3 champions key for KPA’s AWBL charge
Reading Time: 2min | Wed. 06.12.23. | 09:50
The side has made 2 crucial signings to add to the squad depth ahead of the continental showpiece
Kenyan women basketball champions Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) are set to jet out of the country on Thursday 7 December ahead of their participation in the inaugural Africa Women Basketball League (AWBL) in Egypt.
The dockers have made many trips to this competition - previously FIBA Africa Champions Cup for Women but a podium finish remains a pipe dream, something coach Antony Ojukwu is looking to change.
KPA made it to next week’s competition by dominating home team Rwanda Energy Group (REG) 87-55 in the Final of the FIBA Africa Zone 5 AWBL Qualifiers in November, winning their 11th regional crown.
As they prepare for the continental showpiece, assistant coach Brenda Angeshi has underscored the importance of having recently crowned FIBA Africa 3x3 Cup winners who have already joined the team in camp after their exploits in Cairo, Egypt.
Customs (🇳🇬) & ASPAC (🇧🇯) will now join the following teams in the Africa Women’s Basketball League👇🏾
— AfricaBasket (@Africabasket1) December 5, 2023
C.N.S.S. 🇨🇩
Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) 🇰🇪 Rwanda Energy Group (REG) 🇷🇼
Overdose Up Station 🇨🇲
Universite Douala 🇨🇲
Primeiro de Agosto 🇦🇴
Inter Clube 🇦🇴
Sporting Alexandria 🇪🇬 pic.twitter.com/mE3uBQzuYU
Natalie Akinyi who was crowned Most Valuable Player (MVP) after powering the Kenyan quartet to the continental title to keep Kenya’s Olympic dream alive will skipper KPA in the inaugural AWBL showpiece.
She is joined on the lineup by towering center player Madina Okot and veteran Hilda Indasi, the trio looking to guide the Kenya champions to a podium place.
“Their inclusion in the team is of utmost importance. We will need their experience and leadership, especially Natalie seeing as she is our captain, to rally the team,” Angeshi who has been running training alongside other technical bench members in the absence of Ojukwu who has been away on sick leave told Mozzart Sport.
In addition to the trio, KPA will rely on the services of American shooting guard Antoinette Bannister and counterpart Dyana Pierre, a post player who has joined for the championship and adds to the team’s depth.
Kenyan international Victoria Reynolds and Malian Aminata Samassekou who were part of the team in Rwanda during the qualifiers, the latter featuring in the local league as well, are also expected to make the traveling team to Egypt.
