Newly appointed KPA head coach Nabil Kabalan instructs his charges during a training session/ HANDOUTThe Kenya Ports Authority women’s basketball team settled into Cairo with quiet confidence on Tuesday evening, opening camp under newly appointed interim head coach Nabil Kabalan as they prepare for the Women’s Basketball League Africa (WBLA) scheduled for December 5–14.
Arriving in Egypt barely a day after final travel confirmations, KPA resumed training immediately at the Dr Hassan Moustafa Sports Complex. It was here that Kabalan linked up with the team on Tuesday night and ran his first session, and introduced his system.
He joins the Dockers with a résumé that carries both continental and international weight, having served as assistant coach of the Libyan National Team and Al Ahly Tripoli.
Most importantly, he lifted the 2024 Basketball Africa League (BAL) title with Al Ahly earlier this year.
His arrival signals KPA’s intention to steady and strengthen their technical bench ahead of a demanding 10-day tournament.
The Dockers booked their WBLA slot after finishing third at the Zone 5 Qualifiers staged two weeks ago at the Nyayo Stadium Gymnasium in Nairobi, edging out Burundi’s Les Hippos in a decisive placement match to seal their continental ticket.
With most of their core squad retained, KPA have made only two changes from the qualifiers lineup, replacing Nigeria’s Okoro Ifunaya and Senegal’s Aminata.
Both women have since moved abroad for professional assignments with American guard Sara Dickey and American forward A'llexxus Johnson.
Fifteen players have travelled to Cairo, although only 12 will play in the WBLA competition.
The travelling group features: captain Natalie Mwangale, Mercy Wanyama, Betty Kananu, Selina Okumu, Aminata Samasekou, Alima Doumbia, Yvone Atieno, Vilma Achieng, Daisy Awino, Rachel Wandago, Babra Achieng, Sara Dickey, A'llexxus Johnson, Emily Rawayo and Cynthia Mawero.
KPA entered the WBLA as one of 12 teams drawn from across the continent, with the field including representatives from Kenya, Rwanda, Malawi, Angola, Mozambique, Egypt, DRC Congo, Senegal, Ivory Coast, Nigeria and Cameroon.
The tournament will feature a tight scheduling format, allowing little room for recovery and magnifying the importance of depth—something Kabalan has already highlighted in early briefings. His opening session focused on defensive structure, quick ball movement and transition habits, while emphasising intensity and discipline across all units.
Players responded with sharp runs and adjusted quickly to his commands, with senior figures such as Mwangale and Wanyama leading communication on the floor.
KPA, who last featured in the continental tournament in 2022, enter Cairo looking to improve on their previous campaign while navigating a competitive field stacked with seasoned North and West African squads.
With their first match set for Friday, KPA continue preparations through the week, balancing tactical sessions with recovery routines as Kabalan finalises his 12-player roster for submission to tournament officials. The Dockers close their Cairo build-up on Thursday evening before switching fully into match mode for the WBLA tip-off.
