KPA, Equity lead Kenyan charge at Zone Five Championship

The title had changed hands between Kenyan clubs for three years between 2016 and 2018 before Ugandan side JKL claimed the championship in 2019. 

Kenya Ports Authority (KPA), who won the title in 2016 and 2017, and Equity will carry the hopes of Kenya at this year's edition that begins this weekend in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. 

The championship was due to start on Thursday but a delay in publishing fixtures meant the tip-off was slightly delayed. 

In 2019, the last time the event was held Equity came out a disappointing fourth after losing to JKL of Uganda in the semis. It did not get any better for the bankers from Kenya as they lost to APR of Rwanda in the third- place playoffs.

KPA on the other hand earned a ticket as one of the two teams which represented Zone Five at the Africa Women Championship which was held in Madagascar. 

The championship failed to take place in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic that halted sporting events across the world.

Domestically, KPA and Equity have completed their regular season campaigns and are waiting for playoffs with the former topping the league with 35 points followed by Equity in second place,

Both teams will enjoy the services of national team ‘Lionesses’ players who represented the country in this year’s Afrobasket championship in Yaoundé, Cameroon

The five are Vilma Owino Achieng,Brenda Wasuda, Natalie Akinyi and Victoria Reynolds all of KPA and Melissa Akinyi of Equity.

Victoria Reynolds will bring the experience from USA where she has been playing and remembering she was the Most Valuable Player and tournament best small forward in the Afrobasket Qualifiers held in Kigali, Rwanda July this year.

Reynolds was also among the tournament best five players.

KPA will miss the services of Selina Okumu who didn't travel because currently she is doing exams.

Despite missing in this year Afrobasket Championship and qualifiers squad, the bankers will also enjoy the services of experienced players who have played for the national team for a while. They include

Betty Kananu, Samba Mjomba, Denise Menya, Belinda Akoth among others.

Equity will also be boosted by Annerose Mandela who was last season's premier league MVP- she joined the team rejoined the team last week after being away for work related activities.

Equity Bank head coach David Maina believes the trophy will come back home with one of them.

“I believe that our basketball standards are very high in East and Central Africa. I expect one of us to bring the trophy home,” Maina said.

On his part KPA head coach Antony Ojukwu believes the trophy is theirs.

“I have the confidence and believe we will play well because of the preparations we have had,” Ojukwu said.