L. MathekaBosire confident in Morans' chances ahead of AfroBasket qualifiers
Reading Time: 2min | Sun. 18.02.24. | 07:58
The team is expected to jet out to Tunisia on Tuesday morning ahead of the three-day competition
Memories of the last time the national men’s basketball team, Kenya Morans, qualified for the continent's premier event, the AfroBasket, are still fresh for many.
Tyler Ongwae's well taken jump shot with one second to go propelled Morans to a historic 74-73 victory over African powerhouses Angola to book a first ticket to the FIBA Afrobasket in 28 years.
We keep working, Special thanks to ICT CS Eliud Owalo for showing us support as we prepare for the Afrobasket qualifiers. #moranstotheworld pic.twitter.com/tSxVmWGI56
— Team Morans (@Teammorans) February 15, 2024
As the team heads back to the AfroBasket Qualifiers set to throw off on 23 March, skipper Victor Bosire says Morans are no longer underdogs and they will strive to live up to expectations.
The Cliff Owuor-coached men are pitted against the same Angola, defending champions Tunisia and Guinea in Group E whose matches are to be played in Monastir, Tunisia.
"We have had one of the best preparations, having been in camp for more than a month. The last time we had such was during the inaugural AfroCan qualifiers and the results were evident.
This has also helped the new players to gel with the rest of the squad, learn our systems, our culture and settle in before we head out. They are bringing fresh legs and with the senior players' guidance, we are confident they will deliver.
We are ready and the target is to get at least two wins in the first round so we can be safe in the second round of qualifiers," Bosire who will captain the side, assisted by Australia-based Desmond Owili told Mozzart Sport.
Going up against the AfroBasket holders Tunisia in their backyard, 11-time champions Angola who are on a revenge mission and a Guinea side that is likely to emulate their U16 side that won the African title last year is no mean feat.
However, Bosire maintains that Kenya is nolonger an underdog and they cannot rely on the element of surprise that caught many off guard when playing Morans in the last qualifiers for the 2021 AfroBasket
"Our performance in the AfroCan and the last AfroBasket Qualifiers means teams now scout us more before any competition. The last time we played Angola we beat them, against all odds, and that is the same mentality we are taking to these Qualifiers; that we ate good enough to win every game," Bosire added.
The captain says morale in camp is high as the team eyes a return to the continental showpiece.
