[ad_1]
YAOUNDE (Cameroon) – The hour comes, the man comes. At what was Kenya’s biggest night in continental basketball for nearly three decades, Tylor Ongwae stepped up and supported Morans AfroBasket’s dream aspirations.
A game that had seemed devoid of any suspense came to a very dramatic end thanks to the genius of the little striker.
With five seconds on the clock and a slim 73-72 lead for Angola, the ball was delivered to the Morans captain, he conjured a bodily feint, his opponent fell in love, the path cleared and he hammered one last gasp.
His attempt touched the ring before stroking the net to give Kenya a formidable 74-73 victory and qualify the Kenya Morans for their fourth AfroBasket, their first in 28 years.
The genesis of the game did not herald such a remarkable conclusion. Eleven-time AfroBasket winners Angola started the game on a high note, closing the first quarter with a 22-9 lead and ending the second quarter with a 39-28 advantage.
“QUALIFYING FOR AFROBASKET IS A VERY BIG THING FOR OUR COUNTRY.”
Ongwae’s nine points in the first half kept the Morans upset hopes alive.
After weathering the Angolan storm, the Kenya Morans orchestrated a resurgence embodied by Joel Awich whose jump shot gave Kenya a 57-56 lead, their first in the game, in the fourth quarter.
Tom Wamukota’s 13 points and 8 rebounds as well as Preston Bungei’s 10 points gave the Kenyans a thrilling fight with 2.01m (6’7 ‘) Ongwae adding 16 points to allow his team to seal the historic victory.
“We have worked for this our whole lives,” Tom Wamukota told FIBA.basketball.
The 27-year-old center was not born when Kenya last appeared at the mainland’s flagship tournament in 1993, where he finished fourth.
The 2.13m (7ft) player understands, however, how huge this is for the growth of the sport at home.
“We started this journey in 2019 when we qualified for [FIBA] AfroCan. We said to ourselves that we wanted to be the first generation of players to return to the continental stage, ”said Wamukota.
“Qualifying for AfroBasket is a very important thing for our country, mainly because our government has been so helpful.
“We want to set examples and lead as a team. Luckily for us, more core programs are being sent home and that means there will be some continuity.”
Tylor Ongwae buried winner of Angola match
Kenya coach Liz Mills also made her name in the history books by becoming the first coach at the helm of a men’s team to qualify for AfroBasket.
“Going to Rwanda is great. We beat a power and it’s a wonderful feeling,” Coach Mills said before pointing out “We came here for victories, we took care of Angola and we want to get things done against Mozambique as well.
“We started the game badly but I saw the maturity of these players and I knew that at some point things would work out.
“Once our defense fell into place, I knew our offense was also going to pick up and that is what happened.”
Angola’s zeal to win all three qualifying matches was put to the test in a game that could have been sealed earlier.
“Kenya played well but we made it too easy for them,” admitted Angolan captain Carlos Morais.
“At the end of the first quarter, we were 22-9. We should have buried the game then.
“Things like this are happening and we have to prepare for the clash against Senegal on Sunday.”
Kenya will return to AfroBasket for the first time in 28 years. Their last appearance on the continental stage was at the 1993 FIBA AfroBasket which they hosted but failed to secure a podium spot after a 90-76 loss to Senegal in the third place match.
FIBA
[ad_2]
Source link
