Morans debut at the WC qualifiers against familiar foe

National men’s basketball team Kenya Morans begin their hunt for a place in the 19th edition of the FIBA World Cup 2023 with a clash against the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) at the African qualifiers throwing off on Friday 25 February. 

Coach Cliff Owuor, takes charge of the 12-man squad that is missing some key players in a clash against the AfroCAN champions. In the Friday match, Morans go into battle two players less as the duo of Ariel Okall and Fidel Okoth arrive late from Oman. 

Kenya Morans final list for FIBA World Cup African qualifiers named

The Congolese beat Kenya in the final of the 2019 FIBA AfroCAN, having done the same at the group stage at the same competition but coach Owuor says this is a different ball game. 

“We face a totally different squad from the one we faced in Bamako, Mali during the AfroCAN. Only two players from the squad we played have been included in the World Cup qualification team for DRC. 

The squad I have is slightly different too. This calls for a different approach to the game. We have prepared to the best of our ability and have our game plan,” said Owuor in an interview with Mozzart Sport. 

Missing Okall and Okoth is a blow to the side that has travelled without regular centre players Tom ‘Bush’ Wamukota and Desmond Owili. Also missing is Ronnie Gundo who is at times deployed in the position. With Okoth missing the match, the technical bench is left to make do without a big man. Also missing the qualifiers is Bakken Bears forward Tylor Ongwae who announced his exit from the team earlier this year. 

While Wamukota is romoured to be recovering from an injury, no explanation has been given as to why Owili is unavailable. Gundo, who was instrumental in Morans’ qualification to the Afrobasket after 28 years being a standout performer and his 10.7 rebounds per game earning him the title of the best rebounder at the first-round qualifier, had not been named in the initial provisional squad. 

He has, however, taken to social media to wish the team well. “(sic) Due to unavoidable circumstances, I will miss out on the first round of the World Cup qualifiers in Dakar, Senegal. Let's rally behind the team with positivity. Let's make history again. #ForGodandForthecountry,” he wrote on his social media platforms. 

Morans are up against a DRC side that achieved some remarkable results in recent years, which included a shocking triumph over then-reigning African champions Nigeria in 2017 in what was their first AfroBasket appearance in a decade before claiming a Sixth-Place finish. 

DRC forward Jordan Sakho, who currently plays for Rio Breogan in Spain's ACB League, insists that team togetherness could be key for a successful DR Congo run in Dakar. “This type of competition requires a lot of physical and mental strength. As a group, we always have the same mindset and that is what makes us strong," he told FIBA Africa.

The 2.07m (6ft 10in) center went on saying that “What keep us motivated is that we always compete to be among the best teams in a competition like the African Qualifiers. Despite our recent struggles, on and off the court, nothing will prevent us from honouring our national team jersey and bring victory to our country because the joy of winning for our country is bigger than anything else," said Sakho who averaged 11.7 points and 8.7 rebounds at 2021 AfroBasket.