PHOTOS: History-making Kenya Morans receive heroes welcome at JKIA

Kenya Morans Tom Wamukota (centre) in action against Mozambique. [Photo Courtesy: FIBA]

History-making Kenya men's basketball team, the Morans, landed at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) on Wednesday morning.

Morans grabbed international headlines on Saturday night after stunning heavyweights Angola 74-73 in a nail-biting contest in Yaoundé, Cameroon to qualify for the FIBA AfroBasket 2021 tournament in Rwanda.

The crucial win enabled the Liz Mills led side qualify for the showdown in Rwanda for the first time in 28 years.

The spirited Morans were thumped 22-9 in the first quarter but fought back to lead 19-17 in the second.

The Kenyan team led 25-17 in the third and 21-17 in the fourth quarter, a historic comeback from 13 points against the African giants.

29- year-old Tylor Ongwae was the star of the show for the Kenyan side and led with 16 points while his counterpart and power forward Alexandre Jungo won 19 points for his team.

Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) chairman Paul Otula thanked the Government for the necessary support that enabled Morans to achieve the latest historic feat.

“Kenya Morans have beaten Angola for the first time in the history of Basketball in Africa. Thanks a lot to the Government of Kenya for the support,” Otula told The Standard Sport.

Morans head coach Mills earned her place in continental basketball history as the first woman to steer a men’s team to the championships.

Morans, however, were on Sunday handed a heavy 71-44 defeat by Mozambique as the 2021 Afrobasket qualifiers matches came to an end in Cameroon.

The win over Angola sealed Kenya’s fate as they accumulated seven points, two more than Mozambique who had not registered any win in their last five matches.

Photos of the Morans team and officials at JKIA:

Morans head coach Mills earned her place in continental basketball history as the first woman to steer a men’s team to the championships. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Part of the Morans' team on arrival at JKIA after Afro-Basketball championships in Yaoundé, Cameroon. Feb 24, 2021. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Utamaduni Ngoma welcome Morans at JKIA. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Part of Government officials who turned up to receive Morans at JKIA on Wednesday morning. Feb 24, 2021. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Morans' Secretary General and head of delegation Ambrose Kisoi (left) and Joseph Amoko Fixtures Secretary arrive at JKIA from Cameroon. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

From Left- Team Manager Morans Mercine Milimu, coach Liz Mills and chairman Paul Otula at JKIA. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]