11 February 2007
KENYA : Egyptians kick Kenya out of forthcoming Africa Games
By Dann O’Werre, in Kigali
Kenya national men’s basketball team were shut out of the 9th All Africa Games when they fell 71-92 to Egypt in the Zone Five qualifying round at the Amahoro Petit Stadium in Kigali, Rwanda.
The result means that Kenya will not only miss a ticket to Algeria in July but also an all-expense paid trip to Angola for the Africa Masculine championships later in the year.
After going down to Rwanda 64-75 on Tuesday, Kenya needed to win by more than 17 points to top the pool. But they got off to a shaky start trailing 15-29 in the first quarter and never recovered.
The Egyptians shot 10 three-pointers in the duel and easily cruised to a 49-28 lead at the end of the second quarter.
In the third quarter, Egypt rained shots through Rammy Gennedy, Wael Badr, Ahmed Moneer, Ahmed Kaleed and Mohammed Kerdany, raced away 60-28 before Kenya replied through Patrick Kirui.
The victors built a huge 34 points cushion and were in total control in this quarter. But Kenya, cheered on by the Rwandese — who believed a Kenya win would propel them to Algiers — hanged on.
But they got disappointed after a dunk by Egypt’s Badr, which gave them a strong 90-56 lead deep into the last quarter. Kenya’s Cliff Ochieng’ and Dan Okwiri put up a strong fight but was not adequate to turn the tables on their Egyptian opponents.
Okwiri led Kenya with 21 points, while Ochieng’ shot 16 and Ben Oluoch added 11. Egypt had 18 from Moneer, 16 and Geneddy 15 from Badr.
Coach Ronny Owino hailed Okwiri, Ochieng’, Simon Mugambi and Ben Oluoch, saying: "They tried their best against very strong opponents to keep us in the game. I’m extremely happy with their performance."
Kenya national men’s basketball team were shut out of the 9th All Africa Games when they fell 71-92 to Egypt in the Zone Five qualifying round at the Amahoro Petit Stadium in Kigali, Rwanda.
The result means that Kenya will not only miss a ticket to Algeria in July but also an all-expense paid trip to Angola for the Africa Masculine championships later in the year.
After going down to Rwanda 64-75 on Tuesday, Kenya needed to win by more than 17 points to top the pool. But they got off to a shaky start trailing 15-29 in the first quarter and never recovered.
The Egyptians shot 10 three-pointers in the duel and easily cruised to a 49-28 lead at the end of the second quarter.
In the third quarter, Egypt rained shots through Rammy Gennedy, Wael Badr, Ahmed Moneer, Ahmed Kaleed and Mohammed Kerdany, raced away 60-28 before Kenya replied through Patrick Kirui.
The victors built a huge 34 points cushion and were in total control in this quarter. But Kenya, cheered on by the Rwandese — who believed a Kenya win would propel them to Algiers — hanged on.
But they got disappointed after a dunk by Egypt’s Badr, which gave them a strong 90-56 lead deep into the last quarter. Kenya’s Cliff Ochieng’ and Dan Okwiri put up a strong fight but was not adequate to turn the tables on their Egyptian opponents.
Okwiri led Kenya with 21 points, while Ochieng’ shot 16 and Ben Oluoch added 11. Egypt had 18 from Moneer, 16 and Geneddy 15 from Badr.
Coach Ronny Owino hailed Okwiri, Ochieng’, Simon Mugambi and Ben Oluoch, saying: "They tried their best against very strong opponents to keep us in the game. I’m extremely happy with their performance."
# posted by afrbk : 16:00
