Kenya’s U-18 Boys and Girls Basketball teams are gearing up for their semifinal matches against Rwanda in the ongoing FIBA Africa Zone 5 U-18 basketball competition in Kampala, Uganda.
The Zone 5 championship features eight nations, divided equally between boys’ and girls’ teams, with the winners in each category qualifying for the continental Africa U18 FIBA Basketball Championship, set to be held in South Africa in August.
The championship hosts Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, and Tanzania competing in both categories. Kenya’s Under-18 girls’ squad commenced their campaign with a 57-47 victory over Tanzania, led by Roselyne Akinyi. Despite a valiant effort, the girls’ team subsequently fell to Uganda, losing 97-47. “We’ve been away for quite some time. We’re playing catch-up. We will come back,” declared Kenyan coach Martin Okwako. In that game, Violet Atieno scored 15 points, and Valentine Korir added 10 for Kenya, while Bridget Nibishaka led Rwanda with 27 points.
The Tanzanian teams’ struggles continued, with the boys losing 85-43 to Uganda and the girls suffering a 103-48 defeat. The Kenyan girls’ squad concluded their round-robin campaign with a 56-47 loss to Rwanda and will seek to avenge this defeat when they face Rwanda again tomorrow.
The team, coached by Rose Mshilla, is spearheaded by Alicia Mito, Yvonne Otieno, Melvin Arupe, and Grace Wacera, all members of Butere Girls, the reigning Kenya Secondary School Games (KSSSA) national champions.
On the boys’ side, Kenya defeated Tanzania 95-81 in the group stage, bouncing back from an 81-52 loss to Rwanda in their opening game and an 86-58 defeat to Uganda. After missing several previous editions, Kenya is making a significant return to the youth tournament.
The Kenyan Under-18 boys’ squad will meet Rwanda in the semifinals, with head coach Martin Okwako aiming to outwit his opponents. Okwako will rely on key players, including Patrick Ndungu and Clinton Wambugu from Agoro Sare High School, who led their school to a silver medal at the national school championship in April.
Reported By Meshack Awino.
