10 February 2007
KENYA : Kenya hit Burundi in qualifying tie
By Dann O’Were in Kigali
Simon Mugambi sparkled as Kenya men whipped Burundi 101-85 in their penultimate Zone Five All Africa Games qualifier at the Amahoro Petit Stadium.
Ancette Wafula’s opener set Kenya on course for the second win of the tournament. This was immediately followed by Dan Okwiri and Mugambi’s baskets that made it 6-0.
Burundi then replied with a few baskets in quick succession, but a three-pointer by the lanky Dan Otiso saw Kenya build a strong 31-17 advantage in the first quarter.
The onslaught continued in the second quarter as Kenya ran rings around the Burundians, topping 56-34 at half-time. They continued with the same zeal after the breather as they exerted their authority.
Cliff Ochieng’ and workhorse Yoni Wanambiro engineered a 82-61 cushion in the third quarter despite captain Ben Oluoch’s poor form.
His below par performance in three games has not only stunned everyone but himself included. The other guards — Okwiri, Ochieng’ and Mugambi — have played well.
Mugambi was the highest scorer with 17 points, Okwiri managed 16, while Wafula added 15. There has also been unimpressive performances from Dan Daiko, Moses Shida, Patrick Kirui and Otiso.
Off the pitch, the general consensus in Kigali is that Rwanda are likely to dominate the regional scene in the next few years, considering the kind of support the Government is giving their national team. The Rwandese Government is fully behind their teams in this Zone Five All Africa Games qualifiers played at the Amahoro Petit Stadium.
The Prime Minister led five ministers in rooting for the team during their 75-64 win over Kenya on Tuesday. And after the victory, the Government gave the players a total of 5 million francs (about Sh714,000).
Simon Mugambi sparkled as Kenya men whipped Burundi 101-85 in their penultimate Zone Five All Africa Games qualifier at the Amahoro Petit Stadium.
Ancette Wafula’s opener set Kenya on course for the second win of the tournament. This was immediately followed by Dan Okwiri and Mugambi’s baskets that made it 6-0.
Burundi then replied with a few baskets in quick succession, but a three-pointer by the lanky Dan Otiso saw Kenya build a strong 31-17 advantage in the first quarter.
The onslaught continued in the second quarter as Kenya ran rings around the Burundians, topping 56-34 at half-time. They continued with the same zeal after the breather as they exerted their authority.
Cliff Ochieng’ and workhorse Yoni Wanambiro engineered a 82-61 cushion in the third quarter despite captain Ben Oluoch’s poor form.
His below par performance in three games has not only stunned everyone but himself included. The other guards — Okwiri, Ochieng’ and Mugambi — have played well.
Mugambi was the highest scorer with 17 points, Okwiri managed 16, while Wafula added 15. There has also been unimpressive performances from Dan Daiko, Moses Shida, Patrick Kirui and Otiso.
Off the pitch, the general consensus in Kigali is that Rwanda are likely to dominate the regional scene in the next few years, considering the kind of support the Government is giving their national team. The Rwandese Government is fully behind their teams in this Zone Five All Africa Games qualifiers played at the Amahoro Petit Stadium.
The Prime Minister led five ministers in rooting for the team during their 75-64 win over Kenya on Tuesday. And after the victory, the Government gave the players a total of 5 million francs (about Sh714,000).
# posted by afrbk : 11:41
