This archive report was first published on 18 July 2019.
The AfroCan Games are set to kick off on July 19 at the Palais des sports Salamatou Maiga in Bamako, Mali, with Kenya's basketball team, the Morans, facing off against Nigeria and DR Congo in Pool B.
The Morans secured their spot in the competition after emerging as Zone 5 champions in the qualifiers held in Uganda, alongside Egypt, who received a wild card for finishing second in the qualifiers.
Kenya's team, coached by Cliff Owour, will face a tough test against Nigeria, who are ranked as Africa's top team according to FIBA's world ranking.
However, Nigeria's chances of winning have been dealt a blow after their Basketball Federation confirmed that their star player, Al Farouk Aminu, will not be participating in the tournament due to his commitment to play in the FIBA World Cup 2019 in China from September.
Additionally, Nigeria will be missing their 20-year-old star Jordan Nwora and power forward Ike Diougu, who averaged 15 points and 6 rebounds per game during the world cup qualifiers.
The Kenyan side will be led by Tyler Okari Okal, who won the Most Valuable Player award at the Zone 5 qualifiers.
The Morans were flagged off by former Prime Minister Raila Odinga on Tuesday and traveled to Mali on Wednesday, with the tournament set to start on Friday.
Here is the group stage lineup for the AfroCan Games:
- GROUP A: Mali, Ivory Coast, Algeria
- GROUP B: Nigeria, DR Congo, Kenya
- GROUP C: Angola, Morocco, Chad
- GROUP D: Tunisia, Egypt, Guinea
