Women's AfroBasket 2021 - Team Profile: Kenya

 

NAIROBI (Kenya) - In the lead-up to the FIBA Women's AfroBasket 2021, we take a closer look at all 12 participating teams competing in the championship running from September 17-26 in Yaounde, Cameroon.

Team: Kenya
FIBA Ranking Women:  (71 World) (9 Africa)
Last participation in the AfroBasket: 2019  Dakar, Senegal (3 games no win)
Best result at AfroBasket: Finished second in 1993 in Dakar.
How they qualified for the AfroBasket 2021: Topped the Zone Five Qualifiers in Kigali, Rwanda ahead of Egypt, Rwanda and debutants South Sudan (4-2).
World: Kenya were the only team from the continent that took part in the FIBA World Championships in Adelaide, Australia in 1994. Despite not winning a single game against superior opponents, the door was flung open as many players from that team and more trooped to the USA after the tournament.

Youth teams impact: Still very much a challenge. But plans are underway to develop a vibrant youth programme that will compete both at the Zone Five and at the continental level.

History/Qualification: The trip to the Women's AfroBasket tournament started in 1985 when the team went to Maputo, Mozambique for the five team event. Kenya lost all their matches and finished last.

Kenya went to Maputo, Mozambique in 1985 for their maiden AfroBasket women championships where they never won single game. They went down hard losing by over century points 150-45 to DR Congo and 103-69 to Cameroon.

But the tide changed swiftly in the next championship in Dakar, Senegal in 1993. Kenya made a first podium finish a feat that earned them a slot in the World Championship in Australia in 1994.

A charged Kenya side went all the way to the finals where they went down  89-43 to Senegal. Despite the loss, they earned a World Cup ticket and was proudly the only Africa team in that championship.

The came Nairobi in 1997. Lionesses did well and only missed a bronze medal when they fell 90-62 to Nigeria. It was from this championship at home that things started to go on a downward slide for Kenya.

In 2007 in Dakar, there was nothing to honk about. Kenya were last and even lost 69-58 to lowly Madagascar. Another appearance in Maputo in 2013 was not good either as they were 10th.

In their last AfroBasket appearance also held in Dakar in 2019, a ten man Kenya team failed to win a single game and thus missed out on the Quarter-Finals slot.

Key Players: USA-based duo of Felmas Koranga and Victora Reynolds as well as captain Rose Ouma who is in Dubai remain the key. Speedy Melissa Akinyi, Natalie Akinyi and the rising Christine Akinyi are the others.

Victoria Reynolds

Rising Star: When Reynolds arrived in Nairobi from USA to join the national team, she had no idea what awaited her on her debut. But when the show ended she was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) and was also named to the best five. Her promise was that the best is yet to come.

New  addition: Selina Okumu missed out on the Kigali assignment because of commitments. But it is confirmed that the experienced forward is training and will be available for Lionesses in the tournament which is a huge boost. There are plans for additional players based abroad to join the squad latter.

George Mayienga

Head coach: George Mayienga who handles Uganda top side JKL Dolphins was named to head the tactical bench only a few weeks into the qualifiers. He knows the task ahead is huge but with proper training, good results can be attained.

“We are already having two sessions a day with my local based players. Once we are full house then we will do the ball work and focus on our tactics.” Mayienga said.

Outlook: Kenya will need to beef up its roster and Mayienga revealed that plans are underway to inject more talent into the team. Going by the team’s last outings, Kenya will need to be at their best when they face the best the continent has to offer.

Kenya are in Group B and will face off against the host Cameroon and Cape Verde, teams they have meet before in the same competition.

FIBA