Basketball in Africa

By Dann O’were

Kenya lost 55-59 to Cameroon in their third game of the on going African Feminine Championships in Thies, Senegal, on Sunday.

That means Kenya must win their last two matches against DRC on Tuesday and defending champions Nigeria on Wednesday to make the quarter finals.

Kenya again got off to a slow start, allowing Cameroon to take a 19-15 lead in the first quarter. It was no different in the second as they trailed 10-17. On sensing danger, the young Kenyan side rallied to deadlock the scores 12-12 in the third. They emerged tops in the last with a 18-11 edge.

Joyce Makungu’s contribution continued as she led the side with 14 points. Captain Caroline ‘Majeng’Achieng scored 11, while Millicent Anyango posted another eight points.

After Monday’s rest day, the 12-team tournament, which will see the winners bag the continent’s sole ticket to the Summer Olympic Games in Beijing, China, resumes today.

Angola and Mali are setting the pace in their respective group matches. Hosts Senegal and Mozambique were the other two with a clean run in the event.

All Africa Games bronze medalists, Angola group-B leader posted a 25 points margin victory of 66-41 points win over Cape Verde to be the team to watch. Resilient Mali on the other hand showed no mercy against Ivory Coast with a 40 points margin of 74-34 points in a one-sided game played in Dakar.

After a shaky start, Tunisia kept the hope alive with a 59-41 points win over Madagascar for the North African first win in the championships.

Reigning champions, Nigeria re-ignited their prospects when they raced back beat DR Congo by 69-56 to occupy the second spot in group-B behind Angola.