Kenyas Morans off to a poor start at Afrobasket qualifiers

Dennis Kamariki

Kenya men’s basketball team Morans began their campaign for the Afrobasket Championship ticket on a poor note falling 92-54 to Senegal in their opening Group B qualifier at the Kigali Arena in Rwanda.

The Morans started off well drawing 19-19 with the African power-house but ended up losing focus as they lost 14-28 in the second quarter going to halftime trailing 33-47.

After the break, Kenya looked strong as they won the third quarter 19-11 but their efforts were scattered as Senegal crashed them 34- 2 in the last quarter, to extinguish any hopes of a win.

The Senegalese, aided by skill, frame and pace outfoxed Kenya in every sector, the gulf in class quite evident.

Desmond Owili who plays in Australia was impressive for Kenya scoring 13 points but Senegal’s Clevin Hannah showed his own class by bagging 22.

The Morans return to court Thursday at 2pm to tackle Angola in a do or die match before wrapping it off with Mozambique on Friday.

Only the top three teams from the qualification journey will qualify for the Afrobasket Championship that will be held in Kigali, Rwanda next year.