Africa Beach Games: Kenya 3x3 women’s basketball team stun Tunisia to book spot in final

Kenya will clinch a fourth medal at the second Africa Beach Games in Hammamet, Tunisia, after the women’s basketball team silenced home girls Tunisia 14-10 to qualify for the final on Friday morning.

Captain Omondi had a game-high eight points, leading the quartet of Zetech University teammate Madina Okot, MaryAnne Nyagaki and Margaret Nerea in dominating against the home girls.

With this, Kenya has now bettered their performance from Sal, Cape Verde, in 2019, when they clinched only three medals.

Wrestlers Mark Omumasaba and Mathayo Mahabila clinched silver and bronze while the women’s handball team won silver.

Harambee Sand Stars finish fourth as wrestler Mathayo takes Kenya’s medal tally to three in Hammamet

Against hosts Tunisia, the Kenyan girls were determined from the start, with a place on the podium at stake. They had a good start and put their feet on the front, scoring first.

With under four minutes to play though, the Tunisians had rallied to tie the game at 8-8 with Haddadi Abir shooting for two but Lisa responded in Kind to restore a two point gap for Kenya.

With 1:25 to play, Kenya led 12-9, but they had a scare when Naima Attia was fouled, but luckily, she only made one of two from the free throw line, the difference remaining just two points.

The girls stretched the lead to four points, Okot going for a lay-up to stretch the game to a single point lead.

With 5.9secs to play, she was fouled and was given two shots on the free throw line. She converted one of them but it was no problem as the four-point gap was already too big to bridge. 

Kenya plays Mali in the 3x3 ladies finals at 4pm (6pm EAT). This will be a repeat of the group phase encounter where Mali Won 21-14.