Basketball in Africa

Six new players have been included in a new-look men's basketball team  for an invitational tournament in South Africa from March 18-22.
Carey Odhiambo, the head coach has nearly transformed the team by including new and young players.  Usual faces like Ulinzi Warriors duo of Ancete Wafula and William Ochieng are missing as focus shifts to the youthful talent.
Odhiambo says no player was overlooked during selection but he only changed the approach from the past. Currently, twelve players are in training and will leave the country on March 17.
Three players were dropped from the initial list and Odhiambo is happy with the composition. “It is well balanced with players spread out across clubs and a good mixture of new and few players who featured previously.”
Khaemba Situma of United States International University- Africa (USIU-A), Co-op Bank’s duo of James Mwangi and Allan Ouma as well as Philip Ameny who plays for Ugandan side Tigerhead Power are the players with international exposure.
Kevin Kigotho, Victor Bosire and Alvin Nyangweso (USIU-A), Valentine Nyakinda, Evans Letting and Ariel Okal (KPA) together with Evans Ochieng (Co-op Bank) are all making their maiden or second appearance for the national team.
“One of our goals in South Africa will be making it to the final which is a dream for any team. Most importantly, we are out to build a team for the future therefore our main goal will not be to win but expose the players,” he said.
Eyes on 2016 Africa Nations Cup
This is the team that Odhiambo hopes to rebuild as they eye the 2016 Africa Nations Cup qualifiers later in the year. The norm has always been to disband the team and technical bench after one tournament but things might be different this time round. KBF is keen to have consistency.
“That is something I have discussed with the federation on the need to keep this team intact and strengthen it. We need to keep them in regular training and the chairman is very happy with our progress so far.”
Khaemba Situma will captain the team and deputized by Ameny. He has embraced the challenge with both hands and is ready to lead the team to a good performance in South Africa. He admitted it will not be an easy.
“At least we have seen the Nigerian and South African leagues on TV so we know something about their style of play. For Mozambique, we have no idea but we are ready for them,” he said after Tuesday's training session at Nyayop National Stadium gymnasium.
“The tournament has come at a good time as we prepare for international assignments later in the year. It will help us gauge our abilities and preparedness.”
Situma is one of the few players surviving from the past regimes and says they are gelling well with new players. He featured at the Fiba under-18 championships in 2008 alongside Victor Bosire, Titus Musembi and Evans Letting.
“These are players I have played with in the past. We understand each other well so it is not hard gelling.”
Full Squad: James Mwangi, Allan Ouma, Titus Musembi, Evans Ochieng (Co-operative Bank), Ariel Okal, Evans Letting, Valentine Nyakinda (KPA), Philip Ameny (Tigerhead Power), Alvin Nyangweso, Victor Bosire, Kevin Kigotho, Khaemba Situma (USIU-A).