Basketball: Nyakinda drops 14 points as Kenya Morans lose to Egypt

Kenya Morans Valentine Nyakinda in action against DR Congo during the FIBA Africa World Cup qualifiers staged at Dakar Arena in Senegal. [Courtesy-FIBA]

Kenya Morans on Saturday suffered their second consecutive defeat at the ongoing FIBA Africa 2023 World Cup qualifiers after going down 105-51 to Egypt in their Group D match staged at the Dakar Arena in Senegal.

The Egyptians dominated the game from tip-off with a dominant 25-9 and 21-12 performance in the opening two quarters to lead 46-21 at the break.

Things went from bad to worse for Morans after Egypt outscored them 31-13 in the third quarter before the North Africans sealed the win a 28-17 performance in the final quarter.

Yusuf Shehata posted a game-high 17 points, five assists and three rebounds to lead Egypt to victory followed by Ehab Saleh (14 points) as Waleed Aly and Anas Mahmoud managed 12 points each.

Ulinzi Warriors forward Valentine Nyakinda finished as Morans top scorer with 14 points and three rebounds followed by Fidel Okoth and Victor Ochieng who dropped nine points and seven points respectively in the defeat.

The Cliff Owuor-led side did not make their debut a story to tell on Friday evening after losing 66-56 to Democratic Republic of Congo in their opening group match played at the same venue.

Griffin Ligare also hit double digits with a 12 points performance despite Morans losing 66-56 to DR Congo.

Ligare was followed by Albert Oder and Valentine Nyakinda who both registered seven points each.

The two defeats leave the East Africans bottom with two points in the group consisting of hosts Senegal, Egypt and DR Congo.

Kenya shift their focus to Senegal on Sunday from 9 pm (East African Time) as the two nations renew rivalry.

Kenya is hoping to finish in the top three in their group to proceed to the second round qualification.

FIBA Africa World Cup Qualifiers

Results

Kenya 56-66 DR Congo

Egypt 105-51 Kenya

Sunday’s Fixtures

Senegal v Kenya-Dakar Arena, 9pm