Africa-Press – Kenya. Kenya Morans’ guard Albert Odero believes they have what it takes to return the team to the FIBA Afro-Basket.
Odero said the team has prepared well for the last two months and are focused on the task ahead. Morans are in Group ‘E’ of the qualifiers that will be thrown off in Monastir, Tunisia on Friday.
Odero, who is expected to play a key role in Morans’ surge in their second appearance at the continental premier competition, said the two trainings the team had in a day have helped them gel as a team.
“We don’t have some of the players we had in the last championship and this means we will have to step up our game. We must do all we can to return to Afro-Basket,” offered Odero who played college basketball at Arkansas Tech University USA.
He added, “We will come back with a win. We are all competing for our respective countries and this will be war and we must be ready.”
Odero, a member of the side that finished ninth in the last Africa Championship held in Kigali, Rwanda in 2021, said the team is acquainted with each other’s game.
He was instrumental in Morans’ two friendly matches, beating Nairobi-based South Sudan team 86-83, Nairobi Select 104-100 and University Select 103-64. Kenya also play Angola and Guinea.
Team captain Víctor Bosire said they are no longer underdogs having beaten 11-time Africa champions Angola in 2021 qualifiers in Yaounde, Cameroon.
“We started our training early and based on our preparations, this time round everyone must take us seriously. We have young players and the many training have given us an understanding of what to expect,” said Bosire.
Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) released the final team that has three diaspora-based players— Derrick Mekenye (Spain), Joel Awich (France) and Desmond Owili (Australia).
Final Squad—Ariel Ortega, Joel Awich, Eugene Adera, Derrick Mokenye, Albert Odero, Bramwell Mwombe, Fidel Okoth, Faheem Juma, Victor Bosire, Griffin Ligare, Ariel Okal and Desmond Owili.
Officials are—Cliff Owuor (coach), Ancetas Wafula (assistant coach), Mercine Milimu (team manager), Duncan Ndeda (team doctor) and Eastus Mugo (Physio).
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