Your weekly dose of FIBA Africa Zone Five News: Embark on a basketball journey across East Africa, from the electrifying courts of Uganda's National League to the intense preparations of Kenya's national team. Get ready for the anticipation building in Rwanda's league as teams gear up for an exciting season ahead.
Last Updated on
February 8, 2024
Kendi Mwiti
Staff Writer
Ahead of the first qualifying window to the 2025 Afro-Basket qualifiers, the Kenyan Men's Team, Morans, continued preparations with a build-up match against Kenyan-based South Sudanese select team winning 86-83.
The result has coach Cliff Owuor, who is in charge as Australian Grant Wallace is expected to join the team this week, worried as he admits more needs to be done for the team to be ready for the qualifiers.
Kenya will compete in Group E alongside hosts Tunisia, Angola and Guinea.
In the women’s premier league Equity Bank Hawks got the better of TH3 Swish 67-27 at Menengai High School, Nakuru to continue their race to the playoffs.
Hawks are third in the standings after nine games, winning seven and losing two to rank a point behind leaders Storms who are on 17 points from 11 matches.
Holders, and 2023 AWBL finalists, Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) are second in the league on 16 points, going unbeaten in 8 games.
Meanwhile, United States International University (USIU) Flames torched Africa Nazarene University (ANU) Panthers 50-39 to make it six wins in 8 games, claiming sixth place in the standings.
The men's league has unbeaten Nairobi City Thunder in the lead with Ulinzi Warriors and KPA in second and third place respectively.
Africa 3x3 senior women’s champions, Kenya, successfully completed the FIBA 3x3 Africa Elite Camp run from January 27 to February 2, 2024 in preparation for the Olympics qualifiers set for May.
The team led by coach Everlyne Kedogo, features Natalie Akinyi, Hilda Indasi, Maryann Nyagaki, and Joy Mupalia.
Mercy Wanyama and Madina Okot, who were part of the team that beat hosts Egypt in December’s African final, are currently unavailable due to club and college commitments.
National Basketball League action, UCU Lady Canons managed a tightly contested 68-61 victory over UPDF Lady Hawks.
UCU's Aziida Nabayunga put up a Player of the Match performance, managing 15 points, 6 rebounds and 2 assists.
Meanwhile, in the men's category, Ndejje Angels beat Livingstone 64-55 to secure their maiden win of the campaign. Holders City Oilers started their campaign with a 73-38 win over DMARK Power.
Basketball Africa League (BAL) bound Dynamo BBC have announced the signing of our point guard Nkanira Bello for the upcoming season.
Bello will join squad that qualified for BAL last year in South Africa, having penned a short-term deal then. He joins another player that was also instrumental in the qualifiers Joe Guibert Nijimbere.
The 2024 season of Rwanda Basketball League pits favourites against each other as the race for the playoff slots gets underway on 9 February.
The defending champions of the men's league, APR, are poised to renew their rivalry with Rwanda Energy Group (REG) to secure back-to-back titles. APR ended their 14-year title drought with a dominant 4-0 sweep over REG in the 2023 finals series, and now they aim to continue their winning streak in the upcoming season.
As reported by The New Times, APR has added point guard Adonis Filer, who previously played for REG, and Michael Dixon, who was with the Patriots. Additionally, the club has acquired American center Dario Nathan Henry Hunt and compatriot point guard Zion Styles. With these additions, Coach Mazen Trakh has assembled a formidable arsenal for the BAL and the league.
As for REG, the four-time champions under new head coach Charles Mushumba will be led by seasoned players such as American shooting guard Cleveland Thomas Jr., Kendall Gray, and Jean-Victor Mukama, whose experience will be crucial.
Patriots have their work cut out as they aim to match the top two teams, especially with the departure of key players like Aristide Mugabe and Kendall Gray.
Newcomers Kepler, recently promoted to the top-flight league after finishing second in last year's second division basketball league, boast a strong bench led by Ugandan nine-time championship-winning coach Mandy Juruni. Additionally, Mugabe serves as assistant coach while also playing, and they are looking to cause upsets.
