Kenya’s national women’s basketball team, Lionesses, have arrived in Uganda for the 2023 FIBA Women’s Afrobasket Zone Five Qualifiers.
The team comprises 12 players, eight locally-based and four foreign-based, from the 27 provisional squads that had been named last month by the Kenya Basketball Federation.
The notable changes include the addition of Rose Ouma who plays in the United Arab Emirates and Rachael Odhiambo who plays in Uganda- both players were missing from the provisional squad.
The team will be led by Captain Mellisa Akinyi who plays for Equity Hawks, assisted by Natalie Mwangale who trades with Kenya Ports Authority.
The foreign-based players are former captain Rose Ouma who plays in the United Arab Emirates, Victoria Reynolds who plays for Immortal Tcars, Portugal and Mercy Wanyama who trades with AD Cortegada in Spain.
The qualifiers have attracted five teams and will begin Tuesday stretching to February 19, at the MTN Lugogo Arena with just a ticket up for grabs.
Hosts Uganda, Egypt, Kenya, South Sudan and Rwanda will be fighting for the ticket.
The winner will represent the region in the All Africa Games in August, Accra-Ghana and Afrobasket championship in December, and Kigali-Rwanda.
FULL LIST
Point Guards
- Natalie Mwangale Akinyi- KPA
- Deborah Obunga Atieno- Equity Hawks
Shooting Guards
- Mellisa Otieno Akinyi- Equity Hawks
- Selina Okumu- KPA
Power Forwards
- Christine Akinyi- Zetech Sparks
- Maryanne Wanjiku Nyagaki- Equity Hawks
- Velma Owino- KPA