Kenya Lioness miss out on 2023 FIBA AfroBasket

Kenya Lioness failed to qualify for the 2023 women's AfroBasket after posting mixed results at the FIBA Women's AfroBasket Zone Five qualifiers that ended on Sunday in Uganda.

The George Mayienga-coached side won three pool games and lost one, a defeat that not only cost them a spot in this year's continental women's basketball showpiece but also their Zone V title.

Despite that, Lioness still managed to return home with a bronze medal after defeating South Sudan 64-30 in the third place play-off at the MTN Arena Lugogo in Kampala on Sunday.

Inspired by Madina Okot, coach George Mayienga's side dominated the quarters 12-11, 17-5, 17-8 and 18-6.

Okot scored a game-high 18 points with Victoria Reynolds also reaching double-digits (10). Leime was South Sudan's highest scorer with 10 points.

Kenya were knocked out of the race for a place in 2023 AfroBasket after a blowout 82-57 loss to Egypt in their last group phase match last Saturday.

Mercy Wanyama finished as Kenya's best player with 64 points (12.8 points per game) followed by Victoria Reynolds with 51 points. Medina Okot and Christine Akinyi followed with 49 and 47 points respectively in the five matches they played.

Egypt edged Uganda 74-65 to qualify for the AfroBasket. Pharaoh's Raneem Elgedawy also grabbed the headlines after being named MVP.

Kenya's Okot was named in the team of the tournament alongside Egyptian duo of Elgedawy and Egyptian Reem Moussa, Jannon Otto (Uganda), and Nyamuoch Pider (South Sudan).

Egypt's Nadine Mohamed won the best three-pointer award, while Kenya's Okot scooped the best rebounder award.