Former coach Cliff Owuor replaces Liz Millz at Kenya Morans

Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) has replaced coach Liz Mills with former coach Cliff Owuor.

The Australian coach who has been a revelation since joining the Kenyan technical bench in February last year was sacked after she was replaced by the APR tactician who was reappointed to the position on Sunday.

In spite of all the glory, inspiration and glamour; the hammer came down tumbling on Mills at the time Kenya are starting preparations for the upcoming World Cup Qualifiers.

Owuor is making a return as Kenya Morans head coach after one year out.

KBF confirmed that Owuor will be leading the Morans squad in the upcoming World Cup Qualifiers that will be taking place in February 2022.

The team landed group D where they play Senegal, Egypt and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in the FIBA World Cup African qualifiers scheduled for February.

KBF Secretary-General Ambrose Kisoi said Mills had not signed any contract with Morans and she was just appointed to assist the team through the AfroBasket journey alone.

“KBF brought in Liz Mills to only assist the team and not tied down to a contract. She requested us to let her assist Morans as we sorted out our issues after Owuor found a job in Rwanda. Today, Owuor is back, now she has to leave,” said Kisoi.

Owuor who was rehired by Rwandan club APR in December 2020 until the 2022-2023 season will take charge of Morans ahead of the World Cup qualifiers which kick off on February 25. He will be assisted by Collins Sadat Gaya, who was Mills assistant.

Former Kenya Morans player and Kenya Lioness basketball team head coach Ronnie Owino supported the move while believing nothing will change since Owuor is familiar with the team.

“Owuor has worked with Morans since 2019 and only left for a year. He knows the boys very well and even if you look at his record, he is a performer. For me, the team is in safe hands,” said Owino.

FIBA Basketball World Cup is set to take place next year in Indonesia, Japan and the Philippines. The 2023 edition of the FIBA Basketball World Cup marks the first time multiple countries will host this event.