Kenya’s national women’s basketball team, the Lioness, suffered a 63-80 defeat to South Sudan’s Bright Starlets in the third-place playoff at the Afrobasket 2025 Zone 5 qualifiers in Cairo, Egypt.

The loss capped off a disappointing campaign for Kenya, who had already endured two defeats in the round-robin stage. As a result, they finished fourth and missed out on qualification.

Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) Secretary General Angela Luchivya admitted the team was unprepared for the competition. 

Speaking to People Sport on Saturday while en route to the team’s residence in Cairo, Luchivya conceded Kenya’s lack of preparation. 

“We were not very ready for the Afrobasket 2025 qualifiers. Our opponents, Uganda, South Sudan, and Egypt, were well-prepared,” she admitted. 

Kenya’s head coach, George Mayienga, echoed similar sentiments yesterday stating that South Sudan had significantly improved compared to past years. 

“We didn’t expect them to play the way they did. Compared to two or three years ago, they were a completely different team,” Mayienga said. 

“During the 3rd place play-off, l had to make some chances. And, some of the ladies l brought in showed a lot of resilience. However, it is a lesson for us. When we arrive back home and settle, we need to sort out issues,” Mayienga explained.

Mayienga noted that Uganda and South Sudan benefited from calling up their foreign-based players, particularly those in European leagues. He lamented that Kenya’s foreign-based players failed to join the national camp at Nyayo Stadium. 

“Only Victoria Reynolds, who plays for Rwanda Energy Group (REG), and Mercy Wanyama made it. Others, like Medina Okot, who is on a basketball scholarship at Mississippi University, couldn’t be released since she is a key player for her varsity team,” he explained. 

He added that other players indicated they would only be available between June and August if Kenya had successfully qualified. 

Mayienga declined to comment on the omission of Kenya’s top three-point shooter and MVP, Betty Kananu, saying it was a KBF matter. However, he stressed the need for early preparation.