Basketball: KPA close in on Africa Basketball League slot after win

KPA's Victor Bosirei and Ken Owalo of Blades during KBF Playoffs at Nyayo National Stadium Gymnasym on Saturday Nov 17, 2018. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

National men basketball champions Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) have inched closer to winning Fiba Africa Basketball League group F qualifiers after winning their second match on Friday.

The Kenyans maintained a perfect record as Africa Basketball League group F qualifying rounds entered the fourth day yesterday in Antananarivo, Madagascar.

The Mombasa based team take on Usoni from Comoros today in their last and deciding match.

Going by Usoni’s performance so far in the tournament, KPA start today’s match as clear favourites and a win will automatically see them advance to the next stage.

In Friday’s game against Seychelles’ Beau Vallon Heat, KPA easily won 131-54 to remain as the tournament’s favourites.

Ken Wachira was the highest scorer for KPA with 27 points, with Okal Koranga adding 21.

Keegan Nyabera and captain Dickson Odhiambo bagged 16 and 15 points each for the Dockers who had 50 points from turnovers against Beau’s five.

Timmy Adam and Steven Hoareau bagged 24 and 10 points for the Seychelles side.

KPA coach Sammy Kiki was impressed by his team’s show. “We played well, though it was not a tough game but we insisted on doing the right things that I had taught the players both defensive and offensive, and I am happy it worked well,” said Kiki.

Beau coach Roy Noel conceded he lost to a better side.

“Our opponents were stronger than us and they deserved the victory,” he said.

In another one-sided match, Cobra Sports Club from South Sudan beat Usoni 43-24.

Stephen Rumudu and Malual Bol sank 16 and 12 points respectively for Cobra while Soula El-Had was the highest scorer for Usoni with 15 points.

Basketball Africa League will involve 22 teams, where the top six placed from the elite 16 will join champions from Angola, Egypt, Morocco, Nigeria, Senegal, and Tunisia to complete the 2020 Africa League line up.