Kenya Morans’ dream of making it to the 2025 Afrobasket is officially over. Their hopes were crushed on Saturday after a 88-59 defeat to Angola in their Group E qualifier match in Tunisia.
Despite starting strong and taking a 25-21 lead in the first quarter, the Morans couldn’t keep up with Angola’s pace. The second quarter proved costly, with Kenya being outscored 29-10, and although they managed a 15-15 tie in the third, Angola sealed their dominance in the final quarter with a 23-9 blowout.
The loss leaves Kenya bottom of the standings with just five points, dashing any remaining hopes of making it to the continental showpiece.
A Campaign Full of Challenges
Kenya’s journey in the qualifiers was already hanging by a thread before their clash with Angola. The team suffered a 20-0 walkover loss to Tunisia after failing to arrive on time for the match due to poor travel arrangements. It was a frustrating setback, especially considering the Morans had been hoping for a strong start in the second leg of the qualifiers.
Their first-round performance last year had been a mix of struggles and resilience. They lost to Tunisia (90-69) and Angola (88-58) but salvaged some hope with a hard-fought 80-74 victory over Guinea. However, their struggles in Tunisia proved too much, ultimately sealing their elimination.
Bright Spots in a Tough Loss
Despite the heavy defeat, some players stood out with commendable performances:
- Fidel Okoth – 13 points, 3 rebounds, 2 steals
- Taylor Ongwae – 10 points, 6 assists, 6 rebounds
- Bracio Owili – 9 points, 3 rebounds
- Eugene Odera – 9 points, 5 assists, 4 rebounds
- Derrick Ongechi – 8 points, 3 rebounds
One Last Shot Against Guinea
With elimination already confirmed, the Morans will take to the court one last time in their final match against Guinea at 4 PM. Though there’s nothing left to fight for in terms of qualification, a win would provide a morale boost and a more respectable finish to their campaign.
As Kenya exits the race for Afrobasket 2025, focus now shifts to the future—fixing the logistical setbacks, strengthening the squad, and preparing better for upcoming tournaments. The journey may have ended here, but the lessons learned could shape a stronger comeback in the years to come.
ALSO READ:Odemba Set for Exit as FKF Eyes Coaching Change for Harambee Starlets
