Kenya’s Morans Enter 2025 FIBA AfroBasket Qualifiers Amidst Coaching Controversy

Kenya’s basketball national team, the Morans, kicks off their campaign in the 2025 FIBA AfroBasket qualifiers on Friday evening in Tunis, Tunisia, facing off against the host team and three-time champions, Tunisia.

Following the opener, the Morans will go head-to-head against Angola, who are 11-time champions, before concluding their group stage matches against Guinea on Sunday.

The team finds itself placed in Group E of the qualifiers alongside Tunisia, Angola, and Guinea. However, local coaches have voiced concerns over the Kenya Basketball Federation’s handling of the team’s technical bench.

Over the past few years, there have been frequent changes to the technical bench, with Cliff Owuor often at the helm, departing and returning on multiple occasions.

In 2021, Australian coach Lizz Mills led the team to the Afrobasket Championship after a 28-year hiatus, assisted by Abel Nson and Sadat Gaya. However, Mills’ departure under unclear circumstances saw Owuor reinstated as head coach.

In January of this year, Grant Wallace, also Australian, was appointed to lead the team during the FIBA Afrobasket qualifiers. However, Wallace failed to assume his role, leaving Owuor to take charge assisted by Ancet Wafula.

The federation has announced Wallace’s availability as head coach during the second window of qualifiers in November. These constant changes have raised concerns about the team’s stability ahead of their upcoming matches.

“The frequent changes affect the team’s cohesion as each coach brings their own philosophy and style. This disrupts the continuity and growth of the team,” remarked Samuel Ocholla, assistant coach at Kenya Ports Authority (KPA).

Ocholla highlighted how such changes had impacted KPA during the BAL qualifiers in Tanzania last year. William Ochieng, head coach of Ulinzi Warriors development team (Snipers), echoed Ocholla’s sentiments, stressing the importance of stability and continuity in coaching.

“Changes should ideally be made during the off-season, and in a careful manner. It’s crucial to support the current coach through the qualification period and give young players an opportunity to prove themselves,” Ochieng emphasized.

As the Morans embark on their qualifiers journey, the spotlight remains on the team’s ability to adapt amidst the evolving coaching landscape, with hopes pinned on a united effort to secure success on the court.