This archive report was first published on 21 October 2019.
Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) women's basketball team coach Mike Opel is optimistic about reclaiming the Fiba Africa Zone Five Club Championship title in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, on October 21, 2019.
Opel's team, KPA, will face stiff competition from Equity Bank, the defending champions, in the tournament that has attracted nine teams from across Africa.
Speaking after the team's final training session, Opel said he has a strong and talented squad, but it's his responsibility to ensure they remain fresh throughout the championship.
"I have a very young, strong and talented squad. It's now my responsibility to ensure that I rotate them well so that they remain fresh throughout the championship," said Opel, who will be banking on the experienced Hilda Indasi, Seline Okumu, and Natalie Akinyi.
The team will face JKL Dolphine of Uganda in their opener on Tuesday, and Opel insists every game will count in this championship that has attracted nine teams.
"We are not undermining any of our opponents because each team will be fighting for the two available slots for the final tour in Madagascar later in the year. We will give it our best shot," assured Opel, himself a former Kenyan international.
