Kenya Lionesses beat Egypt 99-83 in Saturday’s FIBA Africa women’s Zone 5 qualifiers final in Kigali, Rwanda.
This means Kenya has secured a ticket to the FIBA Women’s Afrobasket taking place in Yaounde, Cameroon from 17th to 26th September.
QUALIFIED! Congratulations @teamlioness254 for your outstanding performance throughout the Afrobasket Zone 5 Qualifiers. We celebrate your great win for Kenya and subsequent qualification to the Afrobasket Finals. #TeamKenya #YouAreTheReason pic.twitter.com/NYCA43K8sz
— AMB.(Dr.) Amina C. Mohamed (@AMB_A_Mohammed) July 17, 2021
Victoria Reynold Wanjara was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player as well as the best small forward while Felmas Adhiambo Koranga was named best power forward.
“It was a very competitive tournament and getting this award on my first time here with the team is unbelievable. I am pleased we have won and qualified,” Wanjara said.
Kenya Lionesses Assistant coach Jack Opel said the team had responded well to instructions and they are ready for the next task ahead.
“Egypt has been a thorn in the flesh for so long but now we have won and this feels great. It is all about persistence. We never gave up from the word go and when we took the lead we ran away with it.
“We are really excited. There is no rest for us. Celebrate now but work immediately.”
On Friday, Kenya booked a place in the final with a 79-52 semifinal win over hosts Rwanda. Egyptians defeated the Kenya Lionesses 107-16 when they met in the first round matches.
