Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) chairman Paul Otula has lamented over the unavailability of the diaspora-based players for national duties.
Otula said despite naming 13 diaspora-based players in a provisional squad of 30 on January 12, only four managed to make the final team that jetted out for the FIBA Afro-Basket qualifiers in Tunisia on Tuesday.
“We had a long list but the availability of foreign-based players has always been a challenge. Not all players we call to the national team do turn up. Some don’t get released by their college or clubs. But we are happy we have four,” said Otula before the team’s departure.
The four who made the squad are assistant captains Desmond Owili (Australia), Joel Awich (France), Derrick Ogechi (Spain) and Bramwel Muchina (Tanzania). Awichi and Ogechi were to link up with the rest in Tunisia.
Kenya Morans are in Group ‘E’ of the qualifiers and will face off against the host Tunisia in the opener tomorrow before playing Angola on Saturday. They wind up their three-game tour with a fixture against Guinea.
Squad: Captain Victor Bosire (Equity Bank Dumas), Assistant captain Desmond Owili (Australia), Assistant captain Joel Awich (France), Derrick Ogechi (USA), Griffin Ligare (Nairobi City Thunder), Bramwell Muchina (Pazi Tanzania), Fidel Okoth (Nairobi City Thunder, Faheem Juma (Nairobi City Thunder, Ariel Ortega (Nairobi City Thunder), Albert Odero (Nairobi City Thunder), Ariel Okal (Nairobi City Thunder) and Eugene Aderam (KPA).
Cliff Owuor is the coach and will be assisted by Ancette Wafula.
