Kenya seek new image at #AfroBasketWomen in Dakar

NAIROBI (Kenya) - It has been 26 years since Kenya made it to the podium at the FIBA Women's AfroBasket and coincidentally this happened at the 1993 edition in Dakar, Senegal. 

As the Lady Morans return to the West Coast, they will be hoping to replicate that kind of form that took the 1993 squad to the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 1994 in Australia. 

The last time Kenya featured at the FIBA Women's AfroBasket was in 2013 and indeed a lot has changed in women's basketball on the continent especially at national team level since then.

The dynamics have moved from Angola being the outright favourite to Senegal reminding everyone why they are the team that has won the most titles and two years ago enter Nigeria. It is currently a cocktail of diversity that presents the true definition of unpredictability as the chosen 12 teams head to Dakar. 

By virtue of this, Kenya will have to redefine themselves and fit into the massively experienced lineup of teams that will be contesting for glory and a place at the prestigious Tokyo 2020 Olympics where the best in the world will be in attendance. 

 FIBA World Ranking:  No. 16 in Africa (72nd in the World)

Goal: Kenya come into this tournament as the lowest ranked team on the FIBA World Rankings presented by Nike but they will not allow this to limit their ambitions. If anything they will be using this as motivation to get back to where they belong. 

According to head coach Ronnie Owino, the East African representatives are targeting a Top 6 finish when they head out to Dakar. Impossible is nothing. This is the kind of attitude that they have decided to use to approach their biggest tournament in the last five years. 

Latest results: Kenya finished as runners-up at the FIBA Africa Zone 5 Qualifiers in June in Kampala, Uganda losing to eventual winners Egypt 90-72 in the final. 

The shock result was timely to remind everyone that Kenya used to rule the East African region before the emergence of neighbours Uganda in recent years. 

The last time Kenya played in Uganda at the FIBA Africa Zone 5 Qualifiers in 2014, Kenya was stunned by Uganda and this time they sought revenge and got it. They did their homework and ultimately got a chance to request for a wild card. 

The confidence from the zonal qualifiers is what they are building on in their preparations to the big stage and the positivity in camp is breeding a winning mentality by the day. 

Playing  style: Kenya bring a lot of energy in every game they play. It is always high intensity, physical and they never give up. That is who they are and they do not apologise for it. They are big in the paint and will be looking to use this to their advantage. 

Vilma Achieng and the returning Silalei Shani, who are two of the four players that were in the 2013 squad, are expected to be big on the boards and to make things happen in the paint. They have built massive experience over the years but Owino's side will definitely miss the dependable Felmas Koranga Adhiambo who has school commitments in the USA.  

Quote: "Our objective would be to be in the top six teams this year and improve our 10th position finish in 2013," explained Owino. 

Speaking about the returning Silalei, who took time off professional basketball and hence the national team for maternity leave, he said, "Silalei has good ball acumen and her experience will be important having played at this level and Vilma working hard to make an impact." 

Shani has always been a dependable player for Kenya

How can they shock the continent? Kenya find themselves in a tricky Group D with 2017 bronze medalists Mozambique and a fellow returnee in Cape Verde who are playing at this stage for the first time since 2013 and head to Dakar as the Zone 2 winners. 

Kenya edged Cape Verde 64-63 in their first meeting at the FIBA Women's AfroBasket 2013 but the latter avenged the loss to win 63-41 in the classification game to finish ninth as the Lady Morans settled for 10th. This month's meeting will be a renewal of an old rivalry.

The Lady Morans have their work cut out for them and want to handle every game as it comes. Making it to the Quarter-Finals will be the bear minimum in their pursuit for a Top 6 slot. One mistake and they are out of the equation and they know it all too well. 

Even though Kenya has not been to this stage in six years, the core players on this side have been competing at the FIBA Africa Women's Champions Cup consistently every year with Kenya Ports Authority (KPA), Eagle Wings, United States International University (USIU) and lately Equity Bank. 

The intriguing pair of captain Hilda Indasi Luvandwa and Samba Mjomba, who were part of the 2013 side, have been the standout players at the continental club competitions for Kenyan teams over the years and their experience is expected to come in handy.  

Head coach: Ronnie Owino has been the face of women's basketball in Kenya since 1991 coaching several teams including University of Nairobi Dynamites, Kenya Commercial Bank, Gladiators and currently he is at the helm of Strathmore University. 

Owino eats, breathes and lives basketball. His contribution to the growth of the game in Kenya is undisputed and this has helped his relationship with the players who hold him in high regard and have vowed to play for him as they collectively represent the interests of Kenya as a former basketball powerhouse seeking a redemption face. 

He is tough when it comes to executing the basics of the game but most importantly a great basketball mind that wholesomely understands the game and always looks to improving his side.

He guided Kenya to fourth place at the Feminine Games back in 1997 and a decade later helped them to fifth place at the All Africa Games in 2007 in Algiers, Algeria. He is now hoping to get the very best out of this talented group of players.

Key Players: At 33, Indasi has amassed a lot of experience over the years that should inspire and lead Kenya when they take on Mozambique and Cape Verde in Group D. Her shooting prowess, confidence on the ball and efficiency on the board is quite admirable. 

Achieng for her size in the paint and ability to box out her opponents is expected to play a key role on both ends of the court. To help her on these duties will be Shani, another forward that has earned respect over the years in the paint but also most notably for her basketball intellect. 

Selina Okumu and Mercy Wanyama are expected to add a coat of agility to the Kenyan side and as they make their debut at this tournament, they hope they can answer the tough questions that are asked at this level. 

Rising Players: Christine Akinyi was born to be a star. She helped her school Kaya Tiwi Girls to three national secondary schools basketball titles and started playing topflight basketball for KPA as a teenager.

Featuring for KCCA Leopards in the National Basketball League in Uganda has given her a broader perspective of the game of the basketball. 

At 1.90m (6ft3in(), Akinyi is the future of Kenyan basketball as strongly admitted by Owino who has always had an eye for upcoming talent to give them a chance. 

Overview: To say that Kenya are looking to win the title is to push their luck too far, however, a Semi-Final place would be a big achievement and why not target the moon and fall within the stars. 

Winning a game in Group D will be the starting point of a positive story for the Lady Morans and they will indeed be looking to their male counterparts who surprised many when they made it all the way to the just concluded inaugural FIBA AfroCan in Bamako, Mali by going all the way to the final. 

The good feeling within the basketball fraternity in Kenya has already created a motivational environment within the Lady Morans team and they will be seeking to evoke such confidence when they step on the court in Dakar. 

FIBA