Natalie itching to guide KPA to Zone Five title

Antony Ojukwu's KPA have a date with Egypt's Alexandria Sporting Club (ASC) in the final of this year's FIBA Africa Zone Five women's club championship in Dar es Salaam slated for 6.30 pm. 

The tactician will rely heavily on his team's 'engine' as he is fond of calling his captain Natalie Akinyi as the dockers look to deflate ASC for a successful title defence. 

KPA storm FIBA Africa Zone Five Club Championships final

Not even a knee injury could stop Akinyi from showing up for Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) when they needed her the most and now that they are in the final she is promising fireworks. 

The skipper gave a show to remember against Rwanda's APR on Friday night to help the dockers qualify for the final with a convincing 61-39 victory. 

She was a doubt for the match, having picked the knee injury early on in the competition that saw he sit out part of the group matches and the quarters.  

Ojukwu's charges, however, found themselves needing Akinyi's leadership and prowess on the floor against APR and while the team doctor had not given her the green light until the final moments before the match she was ready to take her position. 

The tactician was pensive about fielding her but APR were wrecking havoc with a 14-11 and 12-13 scoreline on the first two quarters and it was time for action. She stayed on the floor for 26 minutes and contributed 17 crucial points, seven assists and one steal.

“My knee snapped earlier on in the championship and I have been through physio since Tuesday. I have had to miss a few matches and this was my comeback. I really wanted to make it to the final and so did the team hence the fight. 

The coach was not convinced that I was fine to play and I am grateful he gave me the chance. I am mentally prepared for the final, which will be a tough one, no doubt, but we will show up and give it our all," Akinyi offered. 

Her sentiments of the team being ready for the final were echoed by championship debutant Jemimah Knight. 

“I just wanted to give it my all. Its my first Zone Five and I want to show people what I have. Our job is not yet done, so we go to battle again on Saturday in the final," she offered.