Malian teenage sensation Aminata Samassekou, a point guard who has played in the FIBA U17 World Cup in 2022 and was part of the championship-winning Africa U16 team in 2021 also joins the team
Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) Women's league champions Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) are in Rwanda for this year's FIBA Africa Zone 5 women's club championships slated for 28 October to 4 November in Kigali.
The Antony Ojukwu-coached side lost the title in 2022 to Egypt's Alexandria Sporting Club and as they face 8 other sides that have signed up for the competition, the target will be to reclaim the title.
This is a qualifier for the 2023 FIBA Africa Champions Cup, set to take place in Egypt between December 8 and 17.
KPA will be joined by Equity Hawks from Kenya, the bankers having taken up Zetech Sparks' place. The varsity side cited lack of funds for the withdrawal from what would have been their maiden regional competition.
The two sides go up against hosts APR and Rwanda Energy Group (REG), Tanzania’s Vijana Queens and JKT Stars, South Sudan's Nile Legends and Uganda's JKL Lady Dolphins.
Coach Ojukwu has made four additions to the dockers ahead of the competition, bringing back Madina Okot from Zetech Sparks and Kenya Lionesses small forward Victoria Reynolds. Okot featured for the dockers in last year's competition before moving to the varsity side.
Malian teenage sensation Aminata Samassekou, a point guard who has played in the FIBA U17 World Cup in 2022 and was part of the championship-winning Africa U16 team in 2021 also joins the team as does American Morgan Greene.
"We had close to two weeks of residential training in Mombasa and the team is ready. We expect tough competition, but I believe in m squad to deliver. The four new players add to the team's depth as we look to qualify for the continental championship," Ojukwu offered.
Traveling squad
Natalie Akinyi
Hilda Indasi
Rita Aluoch
Yvonne Atieno
Rebecca Nkatha
Victoria Reynolds
Linda Alando
Vilma Owino
Morgan Greene
Medina Okot
Aminata Samassekou