Preview: Morans set to clash with South Sudan in Pre-AfroCan friendly

©Kenya Basketball Federation

BASKETBALL Preview: Morans set to clash with South Sudan in Pre-AfroCan friendly

Festus Chuma 11:07 - 24.06.2023

High-stakes showdown at Nyayo Stadium as Morans seek victory and fine-tune skills for the upcoming FIBA Africa AfroCan Championship

Kenya men's basketball team, the Morans, are set to face South Sudan in a highly-anticipated friendly match at Nyayo Stadium Gymnasium on Saturday.

The game, scheduled to throw off at 5pm, is an important part of the team's preparations for the upcoming FIBA Africa AfroCan tournament in Luanda, Angola, which will take place from July 8-16.

Morans, under the guidance of their experienced coach Cliff Owuor, have been intensively training for the past week to ensure they are well-prepared for the challenges that lie ahead.

Led by their lethal scorer, Tylor Ongwae, the team boasts a formidable lineup consisting of standout players such as Arial Okal, Fidel Okoth, Derrick Ogechi, and Peter Sifuma.

With this talented lineup, the Kenyan team aims to fine-tune their strategies and teamwork ahead of the AfroCan tournament.

Last Friday, the Morans showcased their strength and dominance during a friendly match against a combined team from the Streets League, emerging victorious with an impressive 114-86 scoreline in a high-scoring affair.

In the AfroCan tournament, the Morans have been placed in Pool A alongside Gabon, according to the draws conducted in Maputo, Mozambique.

The other team in the group is yet to be named, as it will be determined through regional qualifiers.

Notably, Gabon is currently ranked 25th in the continent, seven places below Kenya in the FIBA rankings as of February 2023.

The winners of each pool will advance directly to the quarter-finals, while the teams finishing second and third will compete in the qualification round for the remaining spots in the last eight.

The AfroCan tournament is a relatively new competition organised by FIBA Africa. It was created as a result of the decision to hold the FIBA AfroBasket every four years instead of every two years as it was previously.

The Morans, who won the silver medal in the inaugural edition held four years ago, will be looking to build on their past success and make their mark in this year's tournament.