Basketball: Senior women's team qualifies for Africa Cup

Kenya’s senior women's basketball team will take part in the Africa Cup Championships.

The national side clinched the ticket after winning the FIBA Africa Zone IV basketball championships at the Makande indoor gymnasium in Mombasa.

The team won their 3x3 opening match against Uganda 21-6, which gave them hopes of advancing to the continental tournament.

The Kenyan team of Betty Kananu, Celmas Adhiambo, and Nathali Akinyi, outplayed the Ugandans from the first whistle.

To qualify for the Africa Cup Championships, the Kenyan girls won 21-9 in their second match against Ethiopia.

In the girls' Under-18 3x3, the Kenyans defeated Uganda 19-11. In other girls' Under-18 matches, Uganda, who are coached by Hamza Nyabogo, defeated Ethiopia 21-9.

In the senior men's category, it was not a smooth sailing for the hosts as they lost 13-17 to Uganda, while Ethiopia beat Tanzania 21-6.

In the Under-18 3x3, Kenya's team of James Oduor (Kaya Tiwi School), Abdi Khalid (Eastleigh), Victor Maisori (Aga Khan Academy, Mombasa), and Sheldon Otieno (Laiser Hill) defeated Tanzania 13-7, but lost 9-21 to Ethiopia and 7-19 to Uganda.

In other boys' Under-18 matches, Uganda defeated Ethiopia 21-10 after they hit the target score with 105 seconds to play.

In boys' Under-16, the hosts had a poor start after losing 73-48 to defending champions Rwanda, but recovered to defeat Tanzania 114-65.

Coach Shem Otieno, who was assisted by Jimnah Kimani, said the boys played well in their second match.

“The boys looked more organised and we are happy to have beaten our neighbours, Tanzania. We are in the title contention,” said Kimani.

In girls' Under-16, Kenya's team, which is coached by Eunice Ouma and Kedogo Everlyne, also recovered from their opening defeat to beat Tanzania 48-34.

The Kenyan side lost 92-23 to Egypt in their opener.

[Ernest Ndunda]