Basketball: KPA go hunting in Madagascar

Umoja's Gilbert Obiero (left) and KPA's Victor Odendo during KBF League match at the Nyayo National stadium on July 17, 2022. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Two American players have been named in the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) men's basketball squad that coach Sammy Kiki will rely on during the Basketball Africa League (BAL) qualifiers in Antananarivo, Madagascar.

The dockers players were in an upbeat mood yesterday as they prepared to jet out of the country tonight for the qualifiers slated for October 18-23.

Kiki and his charges completed their training yesterday morning at the Makande Indoor Gymnasiums where the two Americans, Wade Lowman from University of Montevallo and Qatar's based Tony Townsend who plays for Al Rayan Sports Club trained with the rest of the team.

The two foreigners joined the team's residential camp ready for the journey to Madagascar.

KPA are in group D together with hosts COSPN, Djabal Basket of Comoros Islands, Zimbabwe's Foxes Basketball Club, Dekeddaha Sports Club (Somalia) and Mauritius's Roche Bois Warriors.

Team manager Christopher Ogut said the team is in high spirit and optimistic of winning the qualifiers and advance to the second and final stage where the top three teams will earn a ticket to the 2023 Africa's highly rated league.

Captain Victor Odendo was full of energy yesterday after the completion of their one-week residential training.

"The players are in high spirit and on top form. We are happy there are no injuries as we embark on our journey to Madagascar," said Odendo.

"Our main focus is to win all the matches against our opponents whom we believe they have also prepared well for the qualifiers."

Coach Kiki said he decided to beef up the squad with experienced and international players to ensure all the departments were well covered.