Defending champions Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) have vowed to defend their Africa Zone 5 Basketball Championship title after starting their campaign with an emphatic 128-36 victory over Ethiopia’s Hawassa City in Zanzibar.
KPA’s ultimate target is to qualify for the Women’s Basketball League Africa and try to challenge for the title after losing in the final last year. Speaking exclusively to Telecomasia.net in Zanzibar, head coach Anthony Ojukwu said they needed to get a big win on the opening day to send a statement.
The first game is always nervy for everyone, and it is the same for us. Winning the first game was crucial, and with that margin, we sent a statement to everyone else. Our ultimate target is to defend our title, and we have prepared very well to do that. The number one priority is to get to the semis; then from there, go all out. I have a very good squad, and we showed what we can do in the opening game.
The dockers lost their local Kenyan title to rivals Equity Hawks after dominating for four seasons, and the coach says that has only inspired them more to go all out in the regional competition.
Ojukwu has shown his intent to rule not only the Zone Five region but Africa, with the acquisition of several star players, including Malians Veronica Keita and Alima Doumbia, as well as Nigerian Nkem Akaraiwe.
