KPA, Equity gear up for Africa Cup

Kenya Ports Authority and Equity Bank women’s basketball teams are gearing up for 2018 Fiba Africa Club Championship which tips off in Maupto, Mozambique this week.

Both teams have been in residential training ahead of the 10-day championship which starts on Friday.

Both teams are out to improve on last year’s performance in Launda, Angola, where KPA finished fifth and Equity Bank eighth.

KPA’s team manager, Christopher ‘Magic’ Ogutu said the team will leave Mombasa today morning for Nairobi for an overnight stay before leaving for Maputo tomorrow morning.

“We are all set for the championships after rigorous training at the KPA Gymnasium in Mombasa. We expect a very good championship in Mozambique,” Ogutu told Nation Sport in Mombasa on Sunday.

Ogutu said all his players were in good shape and the introduction of US-based Taudencia Katumbi, Christine Akinyi, Cynthia Irankunda, Jamila Zama and Becky Nkatha is expected to inject the much-needed pace in the team.

Ogutu said he also expects a strong performance from in-form Annrose Mandela, Linet Atieno, Donasama Obonyo, Debra Atieno, Yvonne Akinyi and captain Brenda Angeshi.

“Last year, we finished behind two Angolan teams (eventual winners Primeiro de Agosto and Inter Club), Ferraviaro of Mozambique,and First Bank of Nigeria which, to me, was a good performance. We know their tricks and are now going straight for their sculp,” Ogutu said.

KPA players who did duty for the Dockers at Africa Zone Five Championships but will not travel to Maputo include Mercy Wanyama who is out with personal commitments, Beryl Milungo and Rachael Mwandago are doing examinations at Kenyatta University. Melisa Akinyi will also not travel with the team.

Equity Bank will leave for the championship on Thursday, according to coach Loise Araka. Equity have made only one change to their team that won the Africa Zone Five Championships, bringing in Lilian Atieno Mboga in place of Rita Aluoch who will be writing her examinations at the time.

“We have a good team. Dethroning defending champions KPA of the Africa Zone Five Championships title they won in 2016 and 2017 is no mean achievement. We want to maintain the chemistry in the team to see how far we can go in Maputo,” said Araka.

The two Kenya clubs will however have to contend with strong competition from the usual suspects - Ferroviaro from Mozambique, Angolan teams and Nigeria .

Nigerian teams have been relying on US-based players to win matches at the championship, with only shooting guard Akishili Mkeshi the home-based star in the squad.