Morans intensify training ahead of Afrobasket tourney

National men’s basketball team assistant head coach Sadat Gaya says team training has been hinged on technical aspects as they heighten their preparations for the 2021 FIBA Men’s AfroBasket Championship that tips off from August 24 to September 5 in Kigali, Rwanda.

“Fitness level, morale and teamwork are good for us. We are now working on technical aspects to ensure we have team chemistry and how we play both defensively and offensively as well as players’ strength,” Gaya said.

The Morans are in Group C alongside Nigeria, Mali and Ivory Coast and Gaya who doubles up as Thunder men’s basketball team head coach notes that the postponement of some the league fixtures has worked to the advantage of the national side, giving him the opportunity to work with  a full squad.

“So far things are good; we have morning and afternoon sessions for training. Since coaching national team and club at the same time is a bit challenging therefore those of us who we are doubling up are relieved after the federation postponed our league matches and we are happy about that,” he added.

Morans will begin their campaign against Ivory Coast on August 25 before facing Nigeria two days later and wind up their group matches against Mali on August 29.

Ranked 112th globally, the Morans last featured at the biennial event in 1993 by virtue of playing hosts to the games finishing fourth.

Some of the foreign-based players yet to report to the camp include Tylor Ongwae Okari, Joel Awich, Desmond Blacio Owil and Preston Bungei.

The team is expected to leave for Kigali on August 20.