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L. MathekaSouth Sudan test up next for Kenya Lionesses
Reading Time: 2min | Tue. 13.07.21. | 12:02
Assistant coach Mike Opel says the team is working on execution and defense ahead of their second match.
After going down to Rwanda 77-45 in their opening match at the ongoing Women’s Afrobasket Zone Five qualifiers, Kenya Lionesses have their work cut out when they face newbies South Sudan in game two set for Tuesday afternoon.
South Sudan, despite being debutants on the stage, gave a good account of themselves against favourites Egypt, a match they lost 95-65. Egypt led 36-19 in the first quarter but South Sudan cut the deficit to 14 points as they headed to the halftime break trailing 56-42. Egypt, however, roughhoused the newbies scoring 24 points in the third period without a reply to stretch the lead to 80-56. Having already picked a comfortable lead, Egypt played a relaxed final quarter for the final score.
Kenya vs South Sudan from 4PM.
— TeamKenya (@OlympicsKe) July 13, 2021
Both teams will be on the hunt for their first win.
Let’s Do This Champs!!🇰🇪🇰🇪#TeamKenya #YouAreTheReason pic.twitter.com/qRda1gzj2L
“I do not think we lost, we learned. It is hard playing at a high altitude but I feel like we fought through it. We have a lot of things to learn and when we get back we will watch film and learn what we need to do and fix it in the next match.”
Rwanda wins first game in the ongoing #AfroBasket Women 2021 Qualifiers Zone5⬇️
— Facts On Rwanda (@FactsOnRwanda) July 13, 2021
FULL TIME
Rwanda🇷🇼 77-45 🇰🇪Kenya
Tierra Henderson scored 23 points, made 8 assists, 5 steals and picked 5 rebounds.
📺@ferwabaRW#AfroBasketWomen2021Q#FactsOnRwanda |#RwOTpic.twitter.com/bYaVdZgKQo
“We have learned African basketball is physical, and there is a lot of athleticism. We need to pick up our defence and rebound well. We are good being the first time we are playing together, it is a learning curve and next time we will come back stronger,” said South Sudanese captain Nyaduoth Lok, who plays for the George Washington women’s basketball team in the U.S.
Meanwhile, Kenya are hoping to rise past their dismal show against Rwanda when they take on the youngest nation in the world. In a match that they scored a single basket in the third quarter, Lionesses gave 33 turnovers, 16 travel violations and were twice violated the 24-second rule.
Kenya Falls to Rwanda 77-45 in the FIBA women’s Zone V Afrobasket qualifiers #TeamKenya #YouAreTheReason pic.twitter.com/1Yyj5KhlJo
— TeamKenya (@OlympicsKe) July 12, 2021
The winner of this qualifier will earn a spot in the FIBA Women’s AfroBasket 2021, to face five other teams already qualified for the tournament. In addition to hosts Cameroon, 2019 champions Nigeria, finalists Senegal, third-placed finishers Mali as well as semi-finalists Mozambique have already been automatically qualified for the event. The 27th edition of the event will take place from September 17, 2021, to September 26, 2021.
