Basketball: Two players dropped as Kenya Morans gears for AfroBasket tip off

Coach Liz Mills dropped two players from her final squad that will represent Kenya in the 2021 FIBA AfroBasket championship, which begins its Group C campaign against Ivory Coast on Wednesday. Other Group C contenders are Nigeria and Mali.

The Australian tactician had named an initial squad of 14 players that travelled last Saturday to remain with 12 who will do duty for Kenya at the group stage. Shooting guard Faheem Juma and point guard Victor Bosire are the victims of the axe as Mills retained an almost-familiar face that played the qualifiers in Cameroon earlier this year.

Kenya qualified after finishing behind five-time AfroBasket champions Senegal and 11 time-winners Angola in Group B. Morans have played two buildup friendly matches against Senegal and Uganda, losing both.

The 30th edition of the African basketball premier competition tipped off at the Kigali Arena on Tuesday, defending champions Tunisia taking on Guinea in the opening match.

Kenya’s AfroBasket fixtures

Wednesday: Kenya v Ivory Coast

Friday: Kenya v Nigeria

Sunday: Kenya v Mali

Final Morans Squad: Griffin Ligare, Joseph Khaemba, Derrick Ogechi (point guard), Erick Mutoro, Albert Onyango (shooting guard), Tylor Ongwae, Valentine Nyakinda (small forward), Ariel Okal Koranga, Ronnie Gundo (power forward), Fidel Okoth, Tom Bush Wamukota, Desmond Owili (centre)

PHOTO/COURTESY