KPA women in Dar for Zone Five title defense

Coach Antony Ojukwu's charges Kenya Ports Authority are in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania where they are set for a four-day camp ahead of the FIBA Africa Zone Five women's club championship. 

The annual championship is set to throw off on 26 September and conclude on 1 October with the Kenyan champions KPA oiy to defend the title they won last year at the same venue.

"We elected to be here early so we can play a few friendly matches before the championship begins. It is important for us to be at our very best as this, like the other editions, will be a tough competition and we want to retain the title. 

We are yet to confirm the team's that will be available for the friendly matches but we expect to play two this weekend before action begins on Monday," offered Ojukwu. 

So far nine teams have been confirmed for the competition including KPA and Kenya rivals Equity Bank Hawks. These are three more teams than the last edition held on November last year. 

Ojukwu yearning for better competition as KPA prepare for Zone Five championship

So far Sporting Club of Egypt, REG and APR from Rwanda, hosts Vijana Queen, Young sisters from Burundi, Nile sisters from South Sudan and Walkite of Ethiopia are expected to fight for the title against the Kenyan teams. 

"We arrived in Dar es Salaam on Wednesday. The ladies are ready to defend their title.The morale in the camp is high, we have no injuries to worry worry about and will continue with preparations as I polish everything in terms of our tactics and technical aspects of the game. 

Our target is to get to the medal bracket but that said, we will approach the competition one game at a time as we work our way to the final where we will go for the kill, irrespective of the opponent," offered a confident Ojukwu. 

The tactician has travelled with 13 players, with two likely to join the squad before action begins. He will, however, miss the services of Barbara Achieng who is currently in Arusha with Kaya Tiwi for school games but has to be in school after to prepare for her final exam. 

Medina Okot, who has missed several league matches for the side as she was away on assignment with the national team 3x3 basketball team, is back and available for selection. 

"This is a very tricky championship. We have Egypt who are competitive and Rwanda teams have improved alot with time and cannot be ruled out. ApR and REG have players from Europe and Congo who add to the flavour of the competition. 

However, it has always been a fight tk win it and I believe I have a kind of mamba mentally team. The agony of defeat is as low as the joy of winning is high," Ojukwu opined. 

The other Kenyan representatives, Hawks, are expected to jet out to Tanzania on Sunday.