Kenya shocks the world after beating hosts Egypt to lift Africa Cup Final
4th December 2023
The men's team ended their campaign with a 19-17 defeat against Nigeria in the quarterfinals.
- Kenya edged past the defending champions with a 21-20 win thanks to a buzzer beater.
- Medina Okot was Kenya’s most instrumental player in the final with 11 contributions.
- Kenya Ports Authority skipper Natalie Mwangale bagged the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award in the tournament.
The Kenya national women’s 3x3 Basketball team produced a
remarkable comeback on Sunday night to clinch the 2023 Africa Cup following a
historic victory over hosts Egypt in Cairo.
The squad which is under the tutelage of Evelyn Kedogo edged
past the defending champions with a 21-20 win thanks to a buzzer beater.
Egypt, who were cheered by their home fans were leading 18 -15 with a minute to play before the Kenyan Queens bounced back and overcame them with the last-gasp effort.
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Kaya Tiwi High School alumni Medina Okot was Kenya’s most
instrumental player in the final with 11 contributions.
Mercy Wanyama, who comes from the sporting family of Victor Wanyama, and
Hilda Indasi scored four and two points respectively while Kenya Ports Authority
skipper Natalie Mwangale bagged the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award in the
tournament. She amassed four crucial points in the final.
Mwangale was joined in the team of the tournament by
Madagascar’s Harisoa Hajanirina and Egypt’s Raneem Mohamed.
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Mohamed scored a total of 23 points in the tournament while
Hajanirina helped the island nation to finish third.
Kenya, who ended the championship unbeaten, had proceeded to
the final after beating East African neighbors Uganda 16 - 14.
On the other hand, the Kenyan men’s team, Morans, ended their campaign with a painful 19-17 defeat at the hands of West African nation Nigeria in the quarterfinals.
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The latter was later outclassed in the final by Egypt with
the defending champions winning the pulsating match 18-15.
No Kenyan player featured in the men’s squad of the
tournament which was made up of Egyptian Ramy Basha, Madagascar’s Elly
Randriamanpionana and Nigeria’s Robert Chima Ukawuba.
The hosts won two golds in the under 17 category which took place at the same venue a week ago.
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3x3 Basketball originated in the United States four decades ago and it made its Olympic debut in the delayed 2020 Tokyo Games.