Lack of scoring punch from the frontcourt was Kenya Lionesses main undoing in their FIBA AfroBasket Women 2021 Women Championship pre-qualifiers coach George Mayienga revealed.
Kenya lost 72-50 to Mozambique in the match played at the Palaise Polyvalent des Sport in Yaounde, Cameroon on Wednesday a result that saw them bow out of the 12 team tournament.
“They played hard on our forwards, totally marking them out of the game. Mercy (Wanyama), Vilma (Achieng) and Christine (Akinyi) all struggled to score points from inside the paint,” said Mayienga.
The three players combined for 13 of the Lionesses 50 points and Mayienga wondered how positive results could have been attained without the big players being productive.
“Mozambique knew Christine was dangerous coming off the bench and they did everything to stop her. She had to work hard for the five points she scored as did Wanyama, who managed six. Achieng was marked out and managed only two," said Mayienga.
“They killed our guards by ensuring they didn't have it easy supplying the balls to the frontcourt for points. In the end we made some very bad decisions that didn’t help our course.”
But despite all that Mayienga hailed the heroics of playmaker Natalie Mwangale, who, despite being injured played her heart out.
“Despite playing with an injury that had threatened to rule her out of the tie, Natalie was superb. If everyone had that kind of heart, we would have done better,” he observed.
Mozambique led 24-12 in the first quarter, 17-11 in the second and 16-10 in the third before Kenya took the last 17-15.
The Lionesses connected for only 15 of their 52 shots taken and hit five of their 17 three-point attempts. They were better from the charity stripe though, making five of 11.
Mayienga said they have learnt their lessons and will see what is good for the Lionesses going forward before the next competition.
“We will review the entire tournament and chart the way forward for the team. Whether there is need to make changes by injecting new faces or move on with the same team,” he said.
