KPA survive overtime scare to seal WBLA 2025 ticket

Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) kept their continental ambitions alive after outlasting a spirited Les Hippos of Burundi 89–81 in an intense Zone Five Qualifiers third-place playoff on Saturday. The dramatic victory secured the Kenyan champions the final qualification slot to the 2025 Women’s Basketball League Africa (WBLA) set for Cairo, Egypt.

Coming from back-to-back losses to Rwandan sides APR in their final Group A match and REG in Friday’s semifinal, KPA entered the playoff under pressure to salvage their campaign. The Dockers looked in control early on, but a stubborn Les Hippos side threatened to snatch the ticket in a nerve-wracking finale.

KPA appeared unstoppable in the opening quarter, closing it with a dominant 22–06 lead. The Burundians, however, refused to fold, battling to a 22–22 stalemate in the second quarter as KPA went into the halftime break comfortably ahead at 44–28.

Les Hippos returned a rejuvenated side after the break, cutting into the deficit with an 18–15 third-quarter win. The fourth quarter turned into a thriller as the Burundian giants staged a remarkable comeback, outscoring KPA 29–16 to level the game at 75–75 and force overtime.

With their WBLA hopes hanging by a thread, the Dockers regained composure in the extra period. They tightened their defense and showed better execution to outscore Les Hippos 14–06 and seal the 89–81 win.

The trio of Alima Doumbia, Betty Kananu and Aminata Ly once again proved invaluable for the Kenyan champions, combining for 46 points to steer KPA across the finish line.

In the final played later at the same venue, APR defeated fellow Rwandan outfit REG 82–68 to clinch the Zone Five title. APR, REG and KPA will now fly the region’s flag at the continental finals in December in Egypt.

Meanwhile, Zetech Sparks settled for sixth place after falling 56–67 to Tanzania’s Foxes Divas in the classification match.