Africa Women's Basketball League Team Preview: Equity Bank

Equity Bank are Ready to Go

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Equity Bank Hawks will make their inaugural FIBA Africa Women's Basketball League (AWBL) that tips off in Egypt from December 11-19 courtesy of a wild card.

That, however, doesn't stop the two-time Kenyan champions, who bagged the bronze medal in the FIBA Africa Zone Five Qualifiers in Kigali from believing they can fly as they begin their competition in Alexandria.

Their results from the regional championships in the Rwandan capital was an improvement from last year's tournament in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania where they finished a disappointing fifth position.

Hawks are no strangers to the biggest women club show in the continent formerly called FIBA Africa Champions Cup for Women, having participated in two previous editions. But they do not have fond memories from the championships.

But head coach Ben Oluoch, aware of the task ahead, has assured that his charges are very much capable of righting the wrongs from the previous competitions. They promised  not to disappoint.

Oluoch and his deputy Samba Mjomba plan to form a formidable technical bench. And it is already showing.

"We surpassed our expectations in Rwanda by finishing third in the tournament. If we ca play just a little bit harder out there, I am sure we will get the results we need to make a mark in the championship."Oluoch told FIBA.basketball.

The team's target in the eight days of action is to perform better than they did in the past events and even a Quarter-Finals slot remains an achievable goal.

They will rely heavily on one of the key players whose stars shone brightest in Kigali, Grace Irebu. Other key players that the team will rely upon for success are Kenya national team quartet of captain Melissa Akinyi, Rachael Akinyi, Christine Akinyi and center Maryann Nyagaki.

New signing Judith Pantaleo is expected to provide the much-needed tonic at the back court that will also have the evergreen scorer Betty Kananu.

Oluoch wants to turn around Hawks fortunes and there is no better place to show their talons against the very best than the Africa championships.

[Image/Photography Credit: FIBA]