Morans seek to bounce back from Egypt humiliation in Dakar

Kenya Morans forward Preston Bungei (right) in action against Egypt during their 2023 FIBA World Cup qualifiers in Dakar, Senegal on February 26 2022. [FIBA]

Kenya Morans yesterday 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 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.

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

Yesterday, the Egyptians dominated the game from tip off with a 25-9 and 21-12 victories 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 emphatic victory after claiming the final quarter 28-17.

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.

On Friday, 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 registered seven points each.

Kenya shift their focus to tonight’s (9pm) match against Senegal 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.

The return matches are scheduled for July this year. The best three teams from all the four groups will advance to the second round of qualifiers.

Locally, KPA beat 77-63 Equity Hawks in game three of the Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) Women’s Premier League final playoffs at Makande Gymnasium, Mombasa yesterday.

KPA lead the series 2-1 and they could be crowned champions today if they win game four.