Kenya Morans got off to a losing start in the 30th edition of the FIBA AfroBasket championships going on in Kigali, Rwanda.
The brave Kenyans, coached by Australian Liz Mills, were combative throughout their encounter before crashing 70-88 against Ivory Coast.
Even though Kenya trailed by more than a dozen points early in the game, they managed to tie the contest at 39-39 at the break, leaving the ‘Elephants’ of Cote d’Ivoire wondering how to get away with a win against a lower-ranked team that returned to the tournament for the first time in nearly 30 years.
Former NBA player Matt Costello made his Cote d’Ivoire debut with team-highs of 20 points and eight rebounds and three other Ivorians – including Stephane Konate, 41 – scored 11 points or more each.
“Ivory Coast put a lot of pressure on us and we couldn’t handle it. We turned the ball over 20 times, that’s what determined the game,” said Tylor Ongwae, who finished with a game-high 25 points.
Ongwae was the only Kenyan to score in double digits.
“I played well, but it doesn’t matter if we lose the game. Next, I think my teammates will come up and our confidence will be up.”
Kenya head coach Liz Mills looked defiant after the game, saying: “I actually don’t think Cote d’Ivoire beat us, we beat ourselves. We were in it for 35 minutes.”
Kenya are currently bottom of Group C behind Mali, tied on a single point each, while Nigeria share the top alongside Cote d’Ivoire with two points each.
PHOTO/COURTESY
