Will KPA's women's basketball dominance be put to the test, again?
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Reading Time: 2min | Mon. 18.11.24. | 21:07
The side has roped in three new players for the 2024/25 season
Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) women's basketball side opened their campaign to reclaim the Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) women's title on a high, picking back-to-back wins over the weekend.
The Antony Ojukwu-led side picked a 67-56 victory over Safe Spaces and 73-48 against the University of Nairobi Dynamites on Saturday and Sunday respectively, results indicative of the Dockers' dominance in the league, despite having lost the last league title to rivals Equity Bank Hawks.
KPA head coach Ojukwu says maintaining one of their best players from the Women's Basketball League- Africa (WBL-Africa) Zone Five Qualifiers Alima Doumbia and bringing in Rwandese International Shantal Kiyobe from Zetech Sparks and Cynthia Mawero from rivals Hawks are meant to reclaim their place at the top of Kenyan basketball.
Over the weekend the trio made their debut for the side in the league, playing instrumental roles in the two wins.
"We had a chance to sign the three incredible talents for the 2024/25 season. Doumbia was a good fit for the team in the WBL-AQ and while Kiyobe did not feature since we had reached our foreign quota, we know what she and Mawero bring having played in our league.
We have a good squad and the three add to our depth as we go for the title," Ojukwu told Mozzart Sport.
Against Safe Spaces, Mawero emerged as the side's second-best scorer with 16, two behind Grace Irebu.
KPA's toughest competition is expected to come from league holders Hawks. The Ben Oluoch-coached Bankers were also in action on the weekend, dominating 74-48 against Stanbic Aces and 62-33 in a clash with Nakuru-based The Swish.
KPA and Hawks clashed in the WBL-AQ, the former carrying the day albeit with a squad that had two other internationals in Veronica Keita and Nkem Akaraiwe. KPA's Aminatta Semassekou and Kiyobe did not feature in the Zonal competition.
As the season begins, Ojukwu has called on the federation to strive to align the league with the FIBA calendar, arguing this would help Kenyan teams internationally.
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