Morans' Ogechi recounts "eye opening" experience in first FIBA Afrobasket qualifying window

Kenya Morans point guard Derrick Ogechi labeled the first window of the 2025 FIBA Afrobasket Qualifiers “eye opening” moments after lighting up the scoresheet in a pivotal win for the team against Guinea on Sunday.

The 25 year old, making his first appearance in the tournament’s qualifying stages since his inception into the national team, on Sunday scored 15 of his 16 points in the second half to see Morans, coached by Cliff Owour, register an 80-74 win.

The victory was Kenya’s first in three games, after falling to Tunisia (90-69) and Angola (88-58), a scenario that forced them to readjust and put much emphasis on closing out with a win.

“I think we just made more shots in the Guinea game which really helped our defense,” Ogechi, plying trade in Spain's Coto Cordoba-CB, said of the win. “Personally I just knew my teammates needed me to score and produce and the were finding me and I didn't disappoint them.”

Six of his points came from three-pointers, and his tally was only second to Albert Odero’s 19.

2025 Afrobasket Qualifiers: Morans overpower Guinea to secure first win

“All I needed to do was to stay aggressive, stay in the right spot, make shots, and keep attacking,” Ogechi said, adding that his mentality off the bench was always focused towards “not giving up” and executing.

Having opened action with just five points against Tunisia and put up 12 points in 33 minutes in the Angola game, Ogechi talked of the up-and-down nature of the tournament saying: “Honestly it was eye opening. That was my first qualifying stage for me so it was a battle from the beginning to the end and the experience was well needed even though the results weren't exactly what we wanted.

“We know now more than ever that the next window in a year will be twice as tough, and hard to compete in.”

Kenya’s journey to qualification in the 16-team tournament will resume in February 2025 at a yet-to-be-determined venue, when Ogechi believes the team will be in a better state to seal a return to the competition.

"Its a reality that we can qualify," Ogechi said. "What matters now is for us to regroup, work better as a unit in terms of reducing turnovers, defending, and executing."