Five diaspora-based players are expected in the Kenya Morans camp this week ahead of the July 8-16 FIBA Africa Afro-Can Championships in Luanda, Angola.
The players include centre Tom Wamukota who plays for Rwanda giants APR, Arial Okal (Dynamo Burundi), Fidel Okoth (Oman), Derrick Ogechi (Minnesota, USA) as well as Peter Sifuma (UCU, Uganda).
The national side began their training at the Nyayo National Stadium gymnasium a week ago for the prestigious event. “These players will arrive this week and we are currently planning a series of friendly matches on Friday and Saturday, ” said team manager Mercine Milimu.
Commenting on Ogechi, who was a member of the 2021 Afro-Basket side in Kigali, Rwanda, but did not play, Milimu offered, “The 6’2” is really good. He can shoot and control the game tempo.”
The local players, she noted, have been impressive in training. “The next two years look really good. We are spoilt for choice but we can’t have all the players on board. Those who will not make the cut this year will play Afro-basket Qualifiers in November next year.”
Morans on Friday evening played their first friendly match against a Streets League Combined side at the Nyayo Stadium gymnasium, and the local-based players emerged 114-86 winners in a high-scoring encounter. She said the local-based players' form is an indication that the next few years will really be talent-laden.
Milimu said Rwanda-based head coach Cliff Owuor, who guided the side to a silver medal in the inaugural show in Mali in 2019, excused himself and went back to Kigali for the official release but he is expected back by the end of this week.
Morans have been grouped in Pool A alongside Gabon, according to the draws conducted last week in Maputo, Mozambique. The other team in the group will be named later after regional qualifiers.
Kenya Morans and the other top three teams from the Bamako event gained direct qualification to the 12-team tournament that seeks to encourage and develop players who play in leagues within Africa.
