Morans blow as France-based Awich a doubt for Afrobasket qualifiers: Owuor

Kenya men’s basketball team head coach Cliff Owuor has said it will be difficult to get French-based Joel Awich for his team’s preparations for the upcoming Afrobasket games due to the Covid-19 situation.

The development will come as a huge blow to the Morans who had hoped to have the services of the France-based key man.

“It’s tricky to bring him, we have been following up but it has not been easy especially due to Covid-19 pandemic situation,” Owuor said.

According to coach Owuor, Awich was his ”favourite” as he is a ”solid player” whose impact can be seen.

“He is a solid player, having him would have really brought positive changes to the team. Having him and Bush (Wamukota) would have helped us a lot,” he added.

Owuor said he will now bank on the players he used in round one of qualifiers noting that he will not bring on board other foreign based players who won’t add ”big value” to the team.

“We don’t want to bring someone who won’t add a big impact and value to the team. Having in mind bringing foreign based players is not cheap since we have to spend on him.

Owuor however said they’re planning to start group training with strict adherence to guidelines from the ministry of health regarding corona.

Kenya qualified for the second round of the qualifiers after winning round one held in Nairobi in January this year.

In the second round of qualifiers Morans will meet giants Senegal, Angola and Mozambique which gives the coach every reason to strengthen his side. The games will be held in November in a yet to be disclosed venue though initially Senegal was touted to play hosts.

The top three teams from the qualification phase will qualify for the Afrobasket Championship that will be held in Kigali, Rwanda in 2021.

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morans Afrobasket games France based Head coach Cliff Owuor Joel Awich

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