Kenya Morans squad for AfroBasket qualifiers, under new coach, named

Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) released a 30-man Morans provisional squad as the team begins training ahead of the 2025 AfroBasket Qualifiers set for next month.

At the same time, the federation has announced the appointment of Australian Grant Wallace as head coach and technical director with Cliff Owuor as coach. 

Ancet Wafula has been preferred for assistant coach in place of Sadat Gaya who has held the position for several of Morans' assignments. 

"Coach Wallace will be joining the technical bench on a medium term contract from Australia. He will be in Kenya from February. We are looking to tap on his experience to bring diverse coaching styles, perspectives and valuable insights into global trends and competition," acting Secretary General (SG) Angela Luchivya wrote in her communique while introducing the tactician.

The last time Morans had a foreign coach was, again, for the last AfroBasket Qualifiers final window and the tournament itself when the team was under the tutelage of Liz Mills. 

While putting an emphasis on coach Wallace's role as technical director, KBF maintained that Australia has a strong basketball youth development system and programs which can be replicated here if Kenya made use of the tactician.

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"We also look to tap on his tactical expertise and strategic approach to games which Australia is known for. He will also help us open up networks for our players, coaches and attract attention from sponsors, scouts and global basketball enthusiasts." 

Captained by Equity Bank's Victor Bosire, the squad has more than 10 foreign-based players including the already-retired Tyler Ongwae who is currently playing in Germany. 

The last time the 32-year-old small forward was named in the national team, ahead of the 2023 AfroCan, he did not honour the call up. The squad has also seen the return of veteran Desmond Owili as the team's assistant captain.

The team is a mix of youth and experience with some new names introduced including Ambaka le Greham who moved from France to USA where he played junior high basketball Freedom Christian Academy in Fayetteville. 

Also joining the team are David Gichuhi who is unattached, US-based Evans Ojwang and Jeff Onyango of Moischers, currently playing in division two. 

The team begins training next week ahead of the 19 to 27 February Qualifiers where Kenya is in group E that has Tunisia, Angola and Guinea.