KPA men’s team exits Africa League after tough group stage battle
By Barry.Silah, October 25, 2023
Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) men’s team run at the Basketball Africa League (BAL) came to a screeching halt on Monday following their third-place finish in their Pool.
The Dockers, also the defending national league Champions, closed out behind Tanzania debutantes Pazi Basketball and Burundian side Dynamos with Elan Coton managing last place. KPA lost by a single basket (69-67) to Pazi in a nail-biting crunch tie in an East African derby that had a lot of physicality and running involved.
It was a fairly even match and almost went to extra time, but a last-minute throw from Pazi’s shooting guard Baraka Athumani, with 20 seconds on the clock, sent the bench into delirium as the Dockers ended up looking dejected on the court after the hard-fought battle. South Sudanese import Dhiek Abwong Dieng and Landry Ndikumana were the key players who made the difference for the Pazi side.
As a result of the win, Tanzania’s Pazi BBC qualified for the Road to BAL East Division Elite 16 set for next month in Johannesburg, South Africa. This game was crucial for both sides, with KPA needing a straight win to determine their chances via point difference, while the Tanzanian side also aimed to advance.
Meanwhile, the sister club, KPA Ladies, is preparing for the Rwanda Africa ZONE 5 Games to be held in Kigali. The team leaves the country today ahead of the 10-team Competition. The Kenya Women League Champions were losing finalists last year against Egyptian side Alexandra Sporting Club. The team’s primary intention is qualification into the next round, making them a confident and buzzing side ahead of the assignment. The qualifiers run from October 28 to November 4.
This tournament serves as a precursor for the FIBA-Africa Champions Cup scheduled for December 8-17 in Egypt. The hosts will be represented by Giants APR and Rwanda Energy Group, with other teams in the qualification round including JKT Stars and Vijana Queens (Tanzania), Gladiators (Burundi), JKL Lady Dolphins (Uganda), Nile Legends (South Sudan), and the Kenyan pair of KPA and Ex-Champions Equity Hawks.
KPA’s star-studded squad includes national team members Madina Ogot, Hilda Indasi, Rita Aluoch, Yvonne Atieno, Natalie Akinyi, and Victoria Reynolds. Other members in the entourage include Morgan Greene, Vilma Owino, Aminata Samassekou, and Linda Alando.