This archive report was first published on 28 July 2019.
Kenya's basketball team, the Morans, concluded their Africa Cup of Nations campaign in style, earning a silver medal and two individual awards. The team's impressive run saw them lose only twice in the week-long competition, with the final match against the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) being one of those losses.
At the closing ceremony held in Bamako, Mali, Tyler Okari was named the tournament's top scorer with 130 points to his credit, including his 21 points in the final match. Bush Wamukota, the centre player and son of Webuye West Member of Parliament Dan Wanyama, was also awarded the best blocker title, earning him a spot in Africa's All Star team alongside Okari, the DRC duo of Maxi Shamba and Jordon Sacko, and Edson Ndoniema of Angola.
The Morans' journey to the final was marked by several impressive victories, including a 96-66 win over Morocco and an 82-76 overtime win over Tunisia in the quarter-finals. However, their final match against the DRC proved to be a challenging one, with the Kenyan team committing several turnovers and allowing the Congolese easy runs and open looks.
Despite the loss, the Kenyan team received heart-warming support from their fans, including President Uhuru Kenyatta, former prime minister Raila Odinga, and Sports Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohammed, who congratulated the team on their brilliant show.
The Morans are expected to return to Nairobi on Monday at 6am, bringing with them a sense of pride and accomplishment from their Africa Cup of Nations campaign.
