Africa Women's Basketball League Team Preview: KPA

KPA BANKING ON EXPERIENCE IN CHARGE FOR AWBL GLORY

Kenyan women basketball champions Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) have set lofty targets ahead of their participation in the inaugural Africa Women Basketball League (AWBL).
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The dockers have a lot of experience in this competition, previously named the FIBA Africa Champions Cup for Women, but a podium finish is a goal they have not achieved, something head coach Antony Ojukwu is looking to change.
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KPA made it to the competition by dominating home team Rwanda Energy Group (REG) 87-55 in the Final of the FIBA Africa Zone 5 AWBL Qualifiers in November, winning their 11th regional crown.

In preparation for the continental showcase, the team emphasises the significance of integrating recently crowned FIBA Africa 3x3 Cup champions who have now joined the camp following their outstanding performances in Cairo, Egypt.

Natalie Akinyi who was crowned Most Valuable Player (MVP) after powering the Kenyan quartet to the continental title to keep Kenya’s Olympic dream alive will skipper KPA in the inaugural AWBL showpiece.

She is joined on the lineup by towering center player Madina Okot and veteran Hilda Indasi, the trio looking to guide the Kenya champions to a podium place.

“Their inclusion in the team is of utmost importance. We will need their experience and leadership, especially Natalie seeing as she is our captain, to rally the team,” assistant coach Brenda Angeshi says.

In addition to the trio, KPA will rely on the services of American shooting guard Antoinette Bannister and counterpart Dyana Pierre, a post player who has joined for the championship and adds to the team’s depth.

Kenyan international Victoria Reynolds and Malian Aminata Samassekou who were part of the team in Rwanda during the qualifiers, the latter featuring in the local league as well, are also expected to add to KPA's depth.
[Image/Photography Credit: FIBA]