Team Profile: Victoria Reynolds and Mercy Wanyama lead Kenya into the FIBA Zone Five Women’s AfroBasket Pre-Qualifiers. Can they bounce back from 2023’s heartbreak and punch their ticket to Abidjan? The battle begins in Cairo!
Last Updated on
February 3, 2025
The Kenya national women's basketball team, known affectionately as the Kenya Lionesses, is ready to roar at this year's FIBA Zone Five Women's AfroBasket Pre-Qualifiers, which will get underway today, Monday, 3 February, from 3 to 8, in Cairo, Egypt.
Under coach George Mayienga, who led them to the continental competition in 2021 but fell short by a point in 2023, the Lionesses are powered by the MVP from the former, Victoria Reynolds, fresh from leading Rwanda Energy Group (REG) to a sixth-place finish at the 2024 Women's Basketball League Africa (WBLA).
Reynolds will be joined on the squad by Lithuania-based Mercy Wanyama, the only player on the squad playing outside the country. The other ten players have been drawn from league champions Equity Hawks, former champions Kenya Ports Authority (KPA), Zetech Sparks and one from Strathmore Swords.
Lionesses are looking to make it back to the continental stage as they take on hosts and defending champions Egypt, Burundi, who are returning for the first time in over a decade, South Sudan, who are making the event for the third consecutive time and Uganda, who finished second in the 2023 Qualifiers, denying Kenya a ticket to Rwanda by a single point (23/22) as the competition came down to points difference.
Reynolds believes the team has what it takes to pick the sole ticket for the zone to Abidjan despite the short preparation time. The team has been in non-residential training since 10 January before moving into residential camp on 27 January.
"Even though camp was short, I think it was still extremely beneficial, it helped us lock in completely without outside distractions," she told Africabasket. "The team has a good mix of experienced and new players. The balance of old and young will definitely help us on the court."
Asked what it would take for the team to get back to the continental stage, she said; "For the team to qualify we will have to take it one game at a time. The goal is to reach the final so we can’t take any team for granted."
Speaking to FIBA.basketball, head coach Mayienga admitted to missing some key players who were called up but unavailable. The list is led by 2021 best power forward Felmas Koranga, based in the USA and sensational center Madina Okot.
Additionally, siblings Grace and Ruth Mbugua, also playing in the collegiate leagues in the USA and expected to make their debut for Lionesses, will only be available for the African competition should Kenya qualify. The playcaller echoed Victoria's sentiments on his squad, arguing that the experienced players would help the youngsters settle in and play well at this level.
Kenya Lionesses Squad
[Photo/Imagery Courtesy of FIBA]
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