Is podium finish a reality bow for veteran KPA coach Ojukwu?
The veteran coach has made many trips to this competition - previously FIBA Africa Champions Cup for Women - but a podium finish still remains a pipe dream. He believes it's time to change that narrative.
MOMBASA (Kenya) - When Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) start their training for next month's newly-created FIBA Africa Women's Basketball League (AWBL) Finals in Cairo, Egypt one thing will be on the mind of coach Anthony Ojukwu.
The veteran coach has made many trips to this competition - previously FIBA Africa Champions Cup for Women - but a podium finish still remains a pipe dream. However, he believes the time to change that narrative is now.
By dominating home team Rwanda Energy Group (REG) 87-55 in the Final of the FIBA Africa Zone 5 AWBL Qualifiers earlier this month at the Lyncee gymnasium in Kigali, Ojukwu won his 11th regional crown.
KPA
He revealed as soon as the dust had settled that his immediate focus now shifts to the AWBL Finals slated for Cairo from December 11-19.
He has unfinished business in the competition and plans to start training as soon as his late mother, Benter Oloo, who passed on after the team's arrival in Kigali for the event, has been laid to rest.
The tactician has been to too many continental showdowns over the years and he is well aware that to be successful in the Africa Club Championship, a team must fire from all cylinders.
KPA won 3 of 7 to sixth in the 10-team 2022 edition of the FIBA Africa Champions Cup for Women in Maputo
Ojukwu has unmatched success both at the local and regional front but he has nothing to show for at the biggest podium where KPA have been eclipsed in all their appearances.
But good preparations and planning remains they key. He is convinced that it is only a matter of time before the 15 time Kenya champions will make a name for themselves by shaking off the best the continent has to offer.
"I had a good team in Kigali, but to be the best in Africa, we still need to add another big player and a play maker who can also shoot the ball to our roster." Ojukwu noted.
"It is about time that KPA should be dining with the queens of Africa basketball. I am determined and will continue working hard to achieve this goal."
He has already made a proposal to the team management that they start camping for Cairo show on November 15, "So that we can have a whole month to train and if possible, bring additional players early enough for our preparations."
"It's a championship we have to go and perform. We have to dine with the quens of Africa basketball. Our presence have to be felt." He told. Fiba.Basketball.
The Kigali event saw Victoria Reynolds, a daughter to Kenya Morans 1993 Afro Basket center "Big" Ben Wanjara bag the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award.
Sensational center Media Okot was the events best rebounder. The duo were joined by Betty Kalanga (REG), Tetero Odille (APR), Kamba Yoro Diakite (Gladiators) in the team of the tournament.
Okot, who also earned top rebounding award in Maputo finals last December yanked 27 boards in Kigali final game. Together with Nigerian Ifunaya Okoro made the team of the tournament while guiding KPA to fifth place.
Captain Natalie Akinyi dished out a staggering 17 assists. American Morgan Greene, Selina Okumu and Hilda uvandwa also played major roles for the Mombasa based dockers in that win.
And there was touch brought by young Aminata Samassekou, a member of the Malian 2022 FIBA U 17 Women's Basketball World Cup and 2021 FIBA U 16 Women's African Championship teams
All this gives Ojukwu confidence he needs considering that last year they crushed 78-67 to Alexandria Sporting Club (ASC) in the Zone Five finals in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania and the Egyptians went on to conquer Africa in Maputo.
Ojukwu has learnt some harsh from the may continental assignments over the years- a rough and tumble that started in 1993 against Angolan side Deportivo de Nocal.
KPA vs REG
The team's miseries were compounded by the fact that Eagle Wings, a self supporting team bagged Kenya's only club medal when they won bronze in 2013 in Meknes, Morocco.
In Kigali, KPA were dominant whipping REG, JKL Dolphins (Uganda), JKT Stars and Vijana Queens (Tanzania) as well as Nile Legends (South Sudan).
Team cohesion, he said, was the secret behind their good showing in the competition coupled with hard work and proper scouting by the technical bench.
KPA have battled in many Africa cities but they have not seen a change in fortunes, even in a home championship hosted by Nairobi in 2008. But Ojukwu believe they now have the experience and the personel to achieve that elusive goal.
Is 2023 the year to break that ice?
FIBA