Defending champions of the FIBA Zone Five women’s basketball, Kenya Ports Authority (KPA), kicked off their title defense in style, showcasing their ambition to retain the crown and secure a spot in next year’s Women Basketball League Africa (WBLA).
KPA, who previously took home WBLA silver, charged ahead early with a 22-point lead in the first quarter, eventually cruising to a dominant 128-36 win over Ethiopia’s Hawassa City at Tanzania’s newly opened Amaan Indoor Arena.
Under the guidance of coach Anthony Ojukwu, KPA displayed overwhelming superiority, winning each quarter 32-10, 36-08, 29-06, and 31-12, leaving no doubt of their intent. Alima Doumbia, one of the team’s latest recruits, led the game with 24 points and eight assists.
The scoring efforts were bolstered by five teammates in double digits. Belinda Okoth contributed 19 points and six rebounds, while Grace Irebu and another new addition, Nkem Akaraiwe, both added 18 points and four rebounds each. Veteran Hilda Indasi and Selina Okumu chipped in 10 and 11 points, respectively.
KPA faces Rwanda’s APR in their second and final Group B game this evening, aiming to maintain their winning momentum.
The competition, which kicked off on Sunday, will run until November 2, with the top two teams earning a place in December’s finals in Dakar, Senegal. KPA aims to return to this continental showdown, where they last finished as runners-up to Egypt’s Sporting Alexandria.
To strengthen their lineup, KPA has signed four new players: Nigerian Nkem Akaraiwe, Benin’s Veronica Keita, Cote d’Ivoire’s Alima Doumbia, and Rwandan talent Chantal Kiyobe, previously with Zetech Sparks in Kenya’s league.
Elsewhere, Kenyan champions Equity Hawks overcame Burundi’s Gladiators with a 73-57 win in Group C. They will play Rwanda’s REG on Monday, before concluding the group stage against Tanzania’s Fox Divas on Tuesday.
