Shehata powers Egypt to 54-point blowout of Kenya

DAKAR (Senegal) - Egypt and Kenya were both poised on securing the first win after both teams were overpowered in their openers in the second window of qualifiers for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023.

But Egypt proved to be too hot to handle for Kenya as they dominated all facets of the game.

The writings on the wall were more glaring as Egypt eased to a comfortable 16 point domination at the end of the first quarter before extending it to 25 points at halftime with a 46-21 scoreline that depicted the North Africans supremacy.

26-year-old Yusuf Shehata had the time of his life hitting a game-high 17 points, converting five of his six attempts from the foul line as well as burying four of his six attempts beyond the arc garnering an efficiency of 21.

Shehata was accompanied in his heroics by Anas Mahmoud for the second consecutive game hit double digits, chipping 12 points a day after he netted 18 points against host Senegal.

Five more Egyptian players contributed double figures with the bench coming in strong with 47 points as the side out-rebounded the Morans 45-27.

By the start of the fourth quarter, the chasm between Egypt and Kenya had grown to 40 points and by the time the game concluded, it grew up to 54 points with Egypt winning 105-51, the biggest winning margin in the African Qualifiers so far.

"There are days when things work out well for the team and today everything seemed to go well for us." Egypt's coach Roy Rana said in the post-match press conference.

"The players took good shots, they executed well circulated the ball properly. I'm happy with this and it's clear that the players understand what is needed of them."

"We have to continue playing with this sort of intensity, attacking the paint and pushing our opponents to make those bad calls to be able to get the win."- Roy Rana

 "We have to continue playing with this sort of intensity, attacking the paint and pushing our opponents to make those bad calls to be able to get the wins."

The Egyptians nostalgic for their last appearance at the 2014 World Cup want to reunite with the globe's elite.

"I remember what the feeling was like when I played at the 2014 World Cup. You can't describe it to anyone."

"It was an incredible opportunity for us to be in such a prestigious competition and right now we want to return to the event."

"I think with our level, we belong there and it's up to us to show that we have what it takes to get back to the competition."

For Kenya, the situation is getting bleaker. Two defeats of such proportions are a tough pill to swallow for Kenya's head coach to swallow.

"I didn't recognize my team today. We just didn't look like we wanted to play," Morans coach Cliff Owuor said after the game.

"I don't know why the players were hurrying. They should have been more patient but in these situations, you want to bridge the gap."

"We only scored two of our three-point attempts. Can you imagine that, only two." the dejected-looking Kenya coach further explained.

Kenya concludes the second window of African qualifiers with a game against Senegal, a duel that on paper looks a mismatch yet the Kenyans are ever positive.

 
"We'll see what we can do. We can't lose hope," Coach Owuor said.

"Senegal is a better side but if we play with a lot of intensity and try to defend properly in the racket then we can expect a decent result."

Egypt on Sunday plays the Democratic Republic of Congo with their aspirations for a second victory quite high.

"DR Congo is a great team. They have some very good players but after this result against Kenya, I think we are on the right path."

"We played as we should, the players are happy and when I look at them, I see that they want another win and so we will go again believing that we can do it again." Egypt's coach Roy Cana hoped.

FIBA