Africa-Press – Kenya. Kenya Morans face title contenders Nigeria in their second FIBA Africa Championship Group C tie at the Kigali Arena at 4pm on Friday.
After going down 88-70 to Ivory Coast in their opener on Wednesday, Kenya must do the impossible if they are to move a step closer to making the quarter-finals.
With the top teams from the four groups advancing automatically to the quarter-finals, eight teams that finish second and third will compete for the remaining four spots.
A slip up against the tournament’s bigwigs will only complicate their chances in their last fixture against Mali on Sunday. They must give it their all.
The D’Tigers beat Mali 81-73 in a match that saw them build a 22-point lead at one point. They remain favourites but Kenya are determined to give them a run for their money.
For positive results, Morans will have to look for more firepower from outside of Tylor Ongwae and cut on their turnovers. Everyone must step up offensively. Kenya starting five of Jose Situma, Ongwae, Valentine Nyakinda, Desmond Owili and Tom Wamukota had a total of 42 points, 25 of them coming from Ongwae.
For Ivory Coast, it was the starters who effectively pulled the rings, combining for 65 of their side’s points and making the big difference.
Coach Liz Mills said Kenya beat themselves while Ongwae noted they had far too many turnovers that cost them the game.
Nigeria connected for 18 three pointers, which is 54 points from beyond the stripe and Kenya will have to extend their defence to stop this king range onslaught. Ever reliable captain Griffin Ligare and the qualifiers leading re-bounder Ronny Gundo didn’t have many minutes. Their contributions are vital.
