Kenya’s 3×3 women’s basketball team, led by Captain Mary Lisa Omondi, secured a spot in the final of the Africa Beach Games in Hammamet with a commanding 14-10 victory over hosts Tunisia.
Omondi shone in the match, contributing all eight points from beyond the arc. The team will now face Mali in the final, a rematch of their previous group phase encounter, which saw the West Africans emerge victorious with a score of 21-14.
Omondi spearheaded the Kenyan team alongside her Zetech University teammates Madina Okot, MaryAnne Nyagaki, and Margaret Nerea, showcasing their dominance against the Tunisian team.
This victory ensures that Kenya will claim its fourth medal at the Games, surpassing their performance in Sal, Cape Verde in 2019, where they secured only three medals.
Additionally, Kenyan wrestlers Mark Omumasaba and Mathayo Mahabila achieved noteworthy success, clinching silver and bronze medals, respectively. The women’s handball team also contributed to Kenya’s medal tally by winning silver.
In the match against Tunisia, the Kenyan team displayed unwavering determination from the beginning, fully aware of the podium opportunity at stake. They started strongly, taking an early lead.
However, with less than four minutes remaining, the Tunisians rallied back, equalizing the game at 8-8, thanks to Haddadi Abir’s two-point shot. Nevertheless, Lisa quickly responded, restoring Kenya’s two-point advantage.
As the game approached its closing moments, Kenya held a 12-9 lead. There was a moment of concern when Naima Attia was fouled, but fortunately for Kenya, she only converted one of the two free throws, maintaining the two-point difference.
The Kenyan girls extended their lead to four points, with Okot making a lay-up to give them a single-point advantage.
With just 5.9 seconds left on the clock, Okot was fouled and awarded two free throws. Although she converted only one, it did not pose a problem as the four-point gap had already become insurmountable
