Twists and turns as Morans finally cleared to travel

Finally, Kenya will be represented at the FIBA Africa World Cup qualifiers set for July 1 to 3 in Cairo, Egypt. 

Kenya Morans had earlier been declared unable to travel due unavailability of seat space, a communication that prompted the world governing body to take it upon themselves to find those spaces for the players and technical bench. 

A delegation of seven players leaves the country tonight, 2345hrs, for Cairo Egypt via Dar es Salaam and are expected to arrive in Egypt in time for the first match against Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). 

However, three players, Joel Awich, Tom 'Bush' Wamukota and Albert Onyango who are currently out of the country will link up with the rest of the squad in Egypt. The three are likely to miss the opening march given their arrival times. 

Morans miss Egypt trip despite FIBA help

"We did a letter to FIBA expressing our inability to travel, despite their help with the expenses and after extensive consultations following the letter, they took it upon themselves to find us the seat space and we are now able to travel," confirmed Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) Secretary General Ambrose Kisoi. 

Griffin Ligare is the only Kenyan-based player who has made the team that has its work cut out in Egypt as they look to overturn a three-match deficit for a chance to advance in the qualifiers.

The team also travels with Sadat Gaya as the only coach with Ongwae expected to double up as coach-cum player, in the absence of Cliff Owuor. Angela Luchivya travels as the team manager.

FIBA to Morans’ rescue, but the coast is yet to clear