KPA out to break semis jinx in clash against Alexandria Sporting

Group Phase of the 2022 FIBA Africa Women’s Champions Cup ended on Tuesday 13 December in Maputo, Mozambique with eight teams booking their place in the quarters.

Zone Five silver medalists and Kenyan champions Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) who finished in third place in group B with two wins and as many losses have landed zone rivals, Egypt’s Alexandria Sporting Club.

KPA through to FIBA Africa Cup quarters

Their clash scheduled for Thursday 15 December at 4pm (EAT) is a repeat of their zone five final, played in October, that saw the North Africans win 78-67 to head to the continental cup tournament as the zone’s champions.

“It is a zone five derby, a repeat of the October final and that comes with its own pressure. We are, however, ready for the game. We will approach it with a lot of caution as a lot is at stake.

Sporting are a good team I believe they have improved since we last played them but the same goes for us too. It is a clash between two great teams, as I have watched them play here too. I expect to see a good game from both teams, more so from my team,” KPA coach Antony Ojukwu offered.

He continued, “It is time for us to revenge that loss and also break the semis jinx.”

The tactician has, however, expressed for two key players in skipper Natalie Akinyi and Ifunaya Okoro after picking nocks against CNSS in their last group match on Tuesday.

“They did not train on Wednesday. I am waiting for the doctor’s report but we hope to have them available for the crucial game,” he explained.

Fixtures

APR v Interclube

CNSS v Ferroviario de Maputo

ASC Ville de Dakar v Costa do Sol

Kenya Ports Authority v Alexandria Sporting Club