KPA, Equity Hawks boss Africa Women's League qualifier

KPA's Madina Okot (center) in action against Lady Dolphins.[ Rwanda Basketball Federation]

Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) got their campaign for a slot in the inaugural Africa Women's Basketball League off to a winning start after seeing off newly-crowned Ugandan champions JKL Lady Dolphins 82-72 at the ongoing FIBA Africa Zone Five Qualifiers in Rwanda.

KPA, who finished second behind Alexandria Sporting in the 2022 zonal competition, are favourites to reclaim the title they lost to the Egyptian side last year.

Under the tutelage of Antony Ojukwu, the Kenyan champions have signed two international players Victoria Reynolds who played for Imortal Tcars in the Portugal Liga Feminina in the 2022/23 season, and American Morgan Greene.

Madina Okot dropped 16 points and 19 rebounds to inspire the dockers to victory at the Kigali Lycee.

The 2023 Africa Women's Basketball League is set to take place in Egypt between December 8 and 17.

KPA landed in Group B in the draw conducted on the eve of the competition, pairing the South Sudanese outfit, hosts Rwanda Energy Group (REG), JKL and Tanzania's Jeshi la Kujenga Taifa (JKT).

Group A is headlined by APR of Rwanda, Kenya's Equity Bank Hawks, Tanzania champions Vijana Queens and Gladiators of Burundi.

The bankers also got off to a positive start after they beat Tanzania champions Vijana Queens 98-66.

In the absence of defending champions Alexandria Sporting Club of Egypt, this year’s FIBA Africa Zone Five women’s club championship is set to produce a new champion.

The newly-launched women’s club competition in Africa will see the introduction of new eligibility rules.

The roster must consist of at least 8 National Players and 4 foreign players, including 2 plying their trade in any African league and 2 from outside Africa.