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S. OchiengMorans on the verge of history in Afrobasket qualifiers.
Reading Time: 2min | Fri. 19.02.21. | 10:56
Head coach Mills could be on the verge of history as the first woman head coach in charge of a men’s team should he lead Morans to a first continental tournament after 27 year absence.
The Kenya Morans will be hoping to make a comeback in the continental scene after 27 years in the cold when they take on Senegal in their first match of the Fédération Internationale de Basketball (FIBA) Afrobasket qualifiers on Friday in Yaounde, Cameroon.
Sitting third in Group B alongside Senegal, Angola and Mozambique, all the focus in the Morans camp will be on how to be one of the three teams in each group that will automatically qualify to the FIBA Afrobasket 2021 to be held in Rwanda.
History beckons should Kenya make it to the continental showpiece as it would be the first time that a men’s team is steered to the competition under the guidance of a woman.
Current head coach Liz Mills, who took over recently, in an interview with the Standard revealed exactly what such a fete would mean not only her but to the other women out there who find it hard to believe as well as to the Kenyan national team.
“It will be special not only for me and for the team if we qualify to the continental championships, but it will also be a big plus for aspiring women basketball coaches in Africa and beyond. Being a woman can be an issue. I think that is what is really remarkable about the teams that have hired me, their willingness to see past my gender and assess me based on my ability as a coach. I want to leave an indelible mark with this Kenya team, it is possible,” said the head coach.
The Morans only need one win in the three games to ensure Kenya make it to the continental championships for the first time since 1994. That journey kicks off today at 1300EAT when they face group leaders Senegal before taking on Angola on Saturday at 1600EAT and Mozambique on Sunday at 1600EAT.
