The Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) has named a 27 woman- provisional squad that will compete in the 2023 FIBA Women’s Afrobasket cum All Africa Games Zone Five Qualifiers slated for next month.
The team comprises of 22 local players and five foreign-based players with seven members of the technical bench.
The zone five qualifiers will take place from February 19-23 in Kampala, Uganda where the winner will represent the region in the All Africa Games in August in Accra, Ghana and later in the Afrobasket championship to be held in December in Kigali, Rwanda.
Among notable changes in the squad is the omission of captain Rose Ouma who plays in United Arab Emirates and first assistant head coach Mike Opel whose place has been taken by Kenya Ports Authority ladies team head coach Anthony Ojukwu.
KBF secretary general Ambrose Kisoi explained the changes in the technical bench.
“After the 2021 Afrobasket championship in Cameroon, the captain mentioned that it would be her last tournament for the national team while on the other hand for consistency we considered coaches dealing with the ladies teams and that’s why we dropped Opel who coaches KPA men’s team and took Ojukwu who coaches KPA ladies team,” Kisoi said.
Making their debuts in the national team are some 11 players including; Marylisa Omondi of Zetech Sparks, Alexandra Juma of Strathmore Swords, Barbara Diana of KPA, Shalon Gaceri of UON Dynamites, Celia Makungu and Elizabeth Abayo both of Storms.
Others are; Beryl Aoko of Zetech Sparks, Joy Mupalia of Strathmore Swords, Margret Ayieko of Strathmore, Ruth Mbugua and Eunice Silong who plays in United States of America.
The team will be trimmed further with only 12 players set to make the final cut.
Lionesses will be facing Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, South Sudan, Egypt, and Somalia upon confirmation of fixtures.
According to Kisoi the team is expected to begin non-residential training from Monday next week.
FULL SQUAD
Point Guards
Natalie Akinyi- KPA
Ashley Minayo- Zetech Sparks
Deborah Atieno- Equity Hawks
Jemimah Omondi- KPA
Marylisa Omondi- Zetech Sparks
Shooting Guards
Mellisa Akinyi- Equity Hawks
Elizabeth Okumu- UON Dynamites
Selina Okumu- KPA
Alexandra Juma-Strathmore Swords
Winnie Chebet- UON Dynamites
Small Forwards
Barbara Diana- KPA
Shalon Gaceri- UON Dynamites
Celia Makungu- Storms
Elizabeth Abayo- Storms
Vallery Kemunto- Zeterch Sparks
Power Forwards
Christine Akinyi- Zetech Sparks
Beryl Aoko- Zetech Sparks
Joy Mupalia- Strathmore Swords
Maryanne Nyagaki- Equity Hawks
Vilma Owino- KPACentres
Madina Okot- KPA
Margaret Ayieko- Strathmore Swords
Diaspora Players
Victoria Reynolds- Imortal Tcars, Portugal
Mercy Wanyama- AD Cortegada, Spain
Felmas Koranga-Troy University- USA
Ruth Mbugua- Danville Christian Academy- USA
Eunice Silong- Bryant & Stratton College- USA
Technical Bench
Head Coach- George Mayienga
Assistant coach- Antony Ojukwu
Assistant coach- Eunice Ouma
Team Manager- Sylvia Kamau
Team Doctors- Trufosa Mochache and Antony Ndeda
Physiotherapist – Farida Kavere
