05 February 2007
KENYA : Kenya beat Ethiopia in All Africa Games qualifier
By Dann O’Werre in Kigali
Kenya men posted an easy 80-54 win over Ethiopia in their opening Zone Five All Africa Games qualifying match at the Amahoro Peti Stadium.
It was Ethiopia who made the first basket as Ebrahim Abubeka nailed a three pointer. David Otiso and Dan Gaiko’s points saw Kenya lead 4-3 only for Ethiopia to tie it 6-6 and 8-8.
Ancette Wafula hit two baskets and Yoni Wamabiro another gave Kenya a 17-14 advantage before Cliff Ochieng shot took the teams to a first quarter break at 19-14 with a shot.
When play resumed after two minutes breather, Dan Daiko slam ignited a furious onslaught and a Ben Olouch three-pointer saw both teams going to the break leading 38-27.
After resumption, a 12 points spurt saw Kenya build an unassailable 50-27 margin. Then a long range Ochieng three pointer at the buzzer gave the victors a 61-36 lead at the end of the third quarter.
It was all too easy in the last quarter with Ethiopia battling to make the scoreline respectable. Man-of-the-match Wafula led the side with 24 points that included three pointers.
Oluoch scored 11 while Wanambiro and Okwirri combined for 17. Ebrahi Abubaker was the only player hitting double figures for Ethiopia, making 11.
Coach Ronny Owino was satisfied with the win but said: "We had to go easy as we are not ready to release our full arsenal to Egypt and Rwanda."
In another match, hosts Rwanda fell 66-82 to Egypt in the opening game on Saturday. Rwanda shot up 2-0 before a downpour that interrupted the fixtures for over 30 minutes.
In the ladies match, Rwanda survived a scare before winning 56-49 over Burundi.
Kenya men posted an easy 80-54 win over Ethiopia in their opening Zone Five All Africa Games qualifying match at the Amahoro Peti Stadium.
It was Ethiopia who made the first basket as Ebrahim Abubeka nailed a three pointer. David Otiso and Dan Gaiko’s points saw Kenya lead 4-3 only for Ethiopia to tie it 6-6 and 8-8.
Ancette Wafula hit two baskets and Yoni Wamabiro another gave Kenya a 17-14 advantage before Cliff Ochieng shot took the teams to a first quarter break at 19-14 with a shot.
When play resumed after two minutes breather, Dan Daiko slam ignited a furious onslaught and a Ben Olouch three-pointer saw both teams going to the break leading 38-27.
After resumption, a 12 points spurt saw Kenya build an unassailable 50-27 margin. Then a long range Ochieng three pointer at the buzzer gave the victors a 61-36 lead at the end of the third quarter.
It was all too easy in the last quarter with Ethiopia battling to make the scoreline respectable. Man-of-the-match Wafula led the side with 24 points that included three pointers.
Oluoch scored 11 while Wanambiro and Okwirri combined for 17. Ebrahi Abubaker was the only player hitting double figures for Ethiopia, making 11.
Coach Ronny Owino was satisfied with the win but said: "We had to go easy as we are not ready to release our full arsenal to Egypt and Rwanda."
In another match, hosts Rwanda fell 66-82 to Egypt in the opening game on Saturday. Rwanda shot up 2-0 before a downpour that interrupted the fixtures for over 30 minutes.
In the ladies match, Rwanda survived a scare before winning 56-49 over Burundi.
# posted by afrbk : 14:53
