Kenya Morans will rely on video footage if they are to post positive results against Cote d’Ivoire in their opening Group ‘C’ match in the FIBA Afro-Basket 2021 Championships in Kigali, Rwanda today.
Speaking from Kigali, Rwanda, assistant coach Sadat Gaya, said they have little information about their opponent and will keenly study their video to see how well to tackle them in the opening fixture.
“We are staying with them in the same hotel alongside our other opponents Nigeria and Mali but we have little information on them. We will rely on video breakdown to assess their strengths and weakness. Coach Liz Mills is very adept at that,” said Gaya.
He said they will need about one hour to study the video and come up with a game plan that will suit them during the match. The team, he said, is focused and beaming with confidence since arriving in Kigali on Saturday.
Morans had a couple of training sessions and played two friendly games against Senegal and Uganda going down 74-67 and 59-40 respectively.
“The two friendly matches we played were really helpful. We learnt from the encounters what we need to improve on tactically going into the tournament,” said Gaya.
This is Kenya’s fourth trip to the continental bonanza and the first in nearly three decades. Ranked 19th in the continent, Morans believe they have a chance to make a mark in the tournament. The Ivorians are ranked fifth.
They have met twice before in the championship in 1985 in Abidjan with the host winning 106-59. Four years later in Luanda, Angola they played again and despite posting improved result, Kenya still lost 97-79.
Kenya will be without Preston Bungei and Joel Awich who played key roles in Morans second qualifier in Yaounde, Cameroon in February but failed to report for training.
The responsibilities on the both the defensive and offensive front will be key to the team’s win and Ronnie Gundo, Desmond Owili and Tom Wamukota will have to work overtime.
Kenya’s offence revolves round the impeccable Tylor Ongwae who has been reliable all through the qualifiers and remains a key ingredient to a Kenyan surge in the continent.
Captain Griffin Ligare, Eric Mutoro and Victor Bosire will provide the much needed sparks from the back court with Valentine Nyakinda and Ariel Okal fuelling the fire.
Morans will have to watch Ivorian key players led by guards Stepane Konate, Guy Edi and Nisre Zouzoua as well as the front court trio of Matt Costello, Vafessa Fofana and Bali Coulibaly.