2023 FIBA AfroCan: Quarters spot up for grabs as Morans take on Gabon in final pool game

Kenya men’s national basketball team Kenya Morans will on Monday afternoon embark on the courts in Luanda, Angola - this time at the Pavilhao Multiusos de Luanda arena - as they take on Gabon in their second game of the 2023 FIBA AfroCan tournament.

Having secured an opening day 62-52 victory over Ivory Coast on Saturday 8 July, Kenya will be seeking a win that could potentially seal their position in the championship’s quarter finals scheduled for Thursday 13 July.

Morans are currently in second position in Group A with two points - just one behind group leaders Ivory Coast who have already played two games; winning one and losing the other.

Gabon, on the other hand, are bottom of the group after collapsing 66-52 to the Ivorians on Sunday, in a game that saw them lose in all quarters, with their top scorer Drexler Dimidimba putting up 11 points and being the only man to hit double figures in the match-up.

2023 FIBA AfroCan: Impressive Ogechi steers Morans to victory in Luanda

On Saturday however, Morans were fuelled by Derrick Ogechi’s 19 points to the win over Ivory Coast, with Griffin Ligare putting up 13 points all in the midst of a team high 19 rebounds from Bush Wamukota.

Speaking ahead of the game, team head coach Cliff Owuor has promised a few adjustments into the 1230 EAT matchup, with the possibility of Brian Shivachi earning a place in the starting rotation, and standout Eugene Adera getting more minutes on the floor.

Adera, making his national team debut for Morans, played little over 26 minutes, putting up eight points and five rebounds, while Shivachi had three points and an assist in just four minutes played.

“We need Erick Mutoro's confidence,” Owuor was quoted by The Star Sports on Monday. “He played badly against Ivory Cast but we will still keep him in the starting lineup. I want Shivachi's expertise too and might start him against Gabon.”

At the same time in Bujumbura, Burundi, Kenya Moran's forward Ariel Okal and his side Dynamo BBC recorded an 85-65 win in Game One of the VBL Playoffs against Remesha on Saturday.

Game two and three are scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday at the Department Grounds.