Kenya Morans lost their second consecutive match at the ongoing FIBA AfroBasket championships after going down 71-55 to Nigeria at the Kigali Arena, Rwanda.

Albert Odero stepped up to the plate to score 23 points and eight rebounds in the loss and the Kenyans were left wondering what the outcome would have been had Taylor Ongwae been at his normal best which saw him 25 points in the opening match against Cote d’Ivoire. Ongwae was kept on Friday and restricted to just four points.

Valentine Nyakinda and Fidel Okoth bagged seven points apiece.

The Morans, who play Mali in Sunday’s final group game, have now lost all their two matches in the championship following their opening day 70-88 loss to the Ivoirians.

Daniel Utomi was Nigeria’s best player with 17 points as the West Africans also counted on the performance of Jeremiah Moldi (10 points and nine apiece by Andrew Edogi, Ikena Ndugba and Omotayo Jordan for their second win in Rwanda.

Nigeria dominated the first quarter (20-8), Kenya rallied to take the second quarter (18-14) before the Nigerians took charge of the proceedings in the third (15-13) and fourth (22-16) quarters.

The win took Nigeria to four points and Kenya must now defeat Mali comprehensively to stand any chance of progressing at the championships next week.

PHOTO/COURTESY