The Champions are back and were received with a standing ovation after an impressive performance in Rwanda. National Women's Basketball team, Lioness emerged victorious winning the zone 5 AfroBasket title automatically qualifying for the Championships which will be held On September 17th to 22nd in Yaounde, Cameroon.
Kenya defeated Egypt 99-83 in an entertaining final played at the Kigali Arena. It was also a sweet revenge for the Kenyan team which had lost to the same Egyptian team in the group stage. Experienced team center Mercy Wanyama who scored 17 points said they worked really hard to get the win. “After losing to the Egyptians earlier in the tournament we went back and did our homework and came all out to win,” said Wanyama.
Victoria Reynolds together with US-based Troy University forward Felmas Adhiambo Koranga scored 25 and 24 points respectively to guide their team to victory against the former Champions. Reynolds who also plays in the United States of America won the Most Valuable Player Award. “It was a very competitive tournament and playing for the first time here is a proud moment and we will make Kenyans Proud in Cameroon,” She said after receiving the award.
Kenya led 50-42 after a blistering first half and Egypt came strong in the third quarter winning 27-17 but the Kenyans finished them off with a 22-14 performance in the final quarter. Lionesses assistant head coach Mike Opel thanked the fans and congratulated the team for a well-done job.“I congratulate my girls, they played very well, Egypt gave us a good fight. It’s all about persistence we never gave up from the word go and the girls followed instructions,” Opel said.
In this year's Afrobasket Championship Kenya will be represented by both Men and Women whereby the Men Afrobasket Championship will be held in Kigali, Rwanda from 24th August to 5th September 2021.