Kenya Morans will now aim their guns at the 2023 World Cup after being enlisted for the pre-qualifiers set for Japan, Indonesia and the Philippines.
By being one of the 16 teams who qualified for the 2021 FIBA Africa AfroBasket show, Morans will now have a chance to play at the biggest stage even though a tough qualification process awaits.
FIBA Africa technical commissioner Vitalis Gode said: “All teams in AfroBasket will automatically be drawn in the World Cup pre-qualifiers.”
Meanwhile, Kenya will not go to the AfroBasket Championship in Kigali, Rwanda as just participants, captain Griffin Ligare has warned.
Morans made it to the continental championship by shocking Angola 74-73 in their Group ‘B’ thriller in Yaounde, Cameroon.
“We believe that if we bring our diaspora-based players home early, prepare well and put everything else in place, we will be fine,” said Ligare.
The result against the 11-time champions was the tonic that Kenya needed to boost their confidence ahead of the continental show.
“We will not be going to Kigali to add the numbers,” said Ligare. We want to have a good performance and move up the rankings. I know we will be good enough to achieve the feat.”
16 teams as well as hosts Rwanda will parade for the bonanza slated for between August 24 and September 5.