Kenya out of FIBA Afrobasket qualifying after Egypt defeat

Kenya’s Lionesses saw their bid to defend the Zone Five Women's Zone Championships collapse following Saturday’s defeat at the hands of Egypt.

The holders went down 82-57 against the Egyptians in their final match of the round robin format championship at MTN Arena Lugogo in Kampala, Uganda.

Kenya thus missed an opportunity to represent the regions in this year’s FIBA Women’s Afrobasket/All Africa Games championships.

The FIBA Africa Zone 5 reigning champions started their quest to defend the title by beating host Uganda 61-53 on Tuesday.

They then hammered Rwanda 69-58 on Thursday before defeating South Sudan 80-51 on Friday.

By finishing third, Kenya will now play South Sudan on Sunday in the third-place playoff match at 3pm while Uganda and Egypt who finished in the first and second positions respectively will battle in the final at 6pm.

Raneem Elgedaw, Nadine Mohamed Sayed and Meral Abdelgawad masterminded Egyptians' win as they scored a combined 48 points.

Lionesses’ foreign-based stars Rose Ouma, Mercy Wanyama and center Madina Okot had 34 points combined but their efforts were insufficient to lift their side against the determined Egypt.

Egypt dominated all the quarters as they edged ahead 21-16 in the opening quarter before adding another massive 28-13 victory in the second as they led 49-29 in the first half. They won the third frame 14-10 and closed the game out 19-18 to win by a 25 points margin.