Kenya’s prospects in the Zone Five All Africa Games qualifiers in Kigali, Rwanda continue to dog the team coaches following withdrawal of key players from the team.
And coach Ronny Owino rem,ains a worried man by the day as star players Peter Kiganya, Vincvent Ambani, Richard Osano, David Mugoye and Nelson Njau left the camp.
Kiganya, the best players the country has produced left for USA. This move, admits Owino has seriously dented his plans.
He said that the absence of Kiganya, who has played professional in South American countries of Argentina and Chile, Osano and Mugoye will be a huge blow to Kenya’s chances.
” I needed a taller team, now this can not be possible without the trio,” Said Owino.
There was relief though when Co-op Banks towering Dan Gaiko reported over the weekend.
Gaiko trained with the team as were new call ups, Patrick Kirui of KCB Lions and Jmo Kenyatta University (Jkuat) Roy Kahure, who has the height but lacks the experience.
Owino, said that John Waruru of Co-op has been dropped and confirmed that Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) have sent the names of 30 players to FIBA Africa beating the January 15 deadline.
Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) guard Mwajuma Suleiman, Yana’s Caroline Achieng and Pamella Sinda have been dropped the squad currently training at Nyayo National Stadium gymnasium, the latter due to studies.
Thomas Olumbo who is haling the women’s sides said that the team has not responded well to training and that with only two weeks left, things will have to take a different approach.
“They are still very slow. The defense and transition is not good and we also need to work on recovery. This we will work on this week together with co-ordination.” said Olumbo.
He said that the team is shooting well and the awareness is ok. But there is need to work on recovery from offense to defense in the last sessions.
Owino said that the last two weeks will be vital. The winners from the Kigali show will book a ticket to the Pan Africa Games in Algeria in July.
Participating teams in the February 3-10 show will be Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Sudan, Somalia and hosts Rwanda. The payers.
Men: Moses Shida, Vincent Ambani, Ancette Wafula, Simon Mugambi, Victor Odendo, Greg Odera, Lewis Muya, David Otiso, Dan Okwirri, Yoni Wanambiro, Furaha Odari, John Waruru, Cliff Ochieng, Eugene Genga,Ben Oluoch and Dan Gaiko.
women: Angela Luchivya, Evalyne Kedogo, Hilda Luvandwa, Joyce Makungu, Caroline Achieng, Eunice Ouma, Rebecca Sarange, Samba Mjomba, Angella Okoth, Caroline Arato, Millicent Anyango, Gladys Wanyama, Volnet Wanyama and Judy Akoth.
Dann O’Were