AS the continental assignment beckons for national women champions Kenya Ports Authority (KPA), the team's performance before this crucial event in Cotonu, Benin remains very much wanting.
Take their last premier league show against Eastern Queens- a new team playing in the top league for only the first time.- what was expected to be a real show stopper turned out to be a cake walk for Queens, 68-45 winners
KPA wilted as early as the first quarter where they trailed 14-4, recovered briefly in the second mainly on the out put of Irene Muambi but were dead and buried in the third where one Hilda Indasi tucked shots after shots upon their bewildered zone defense.
Indasi nailed three consecutive treys arrogantly hoisting and burying these three point shots as KPA technical bench - the largest in the league- remained distraught.
Coach Anthony Ojukwu standing at the far end, Fiba Instructor Sammy Wanjohi, Sammy Kiki, Dave Odhiambo and Chris Ogutu watched at the unveiling scenario with smarking glee. Disaster ! Where was the KPA defense ?
How could KPA with good players all around and all that experience and a sound technical bench allow themselves to be humiliated like his ? Why did the girls wilter like this against opponents they know all so well ? What went wrong ? How could the champs, previously unshaken in the league put up such a pale show ?
Wanjohi who is also the tea manager said they will fight fire with fire when the two teams meet at the Makande Welfare Hall in Mombasa this weekend. He promised a very different story, how I wish I would be at the court side to see their response !
The two points that were taken by Abel Nson's charges is not really of much concern to Kenyans now. KPA could recover and win the return tie on Saturday by even as many as 30 points who knows.
The reality is that with that kind of display, KPA have no hope for a continental crown. If things do not improve now they will be at best number 11 out of 12 teams in Cotonu when the curtain comes down.
KPA have been to many African championships before with that kind of exposure and experience, the porters should be having a medal- even a bronze to show for their sweat- not certificate of participation !
During last years championships at the Nyayo National Stadium gymnasium in Nairobi, despite playing at home, they were placed eigth- losing even to debutants APR of Rwanda.
KPA were better only than compatriots Eagle Wings, Radi and Victoria on DR Congo and Kampala City Council (KCC) of Uganda, who only got a wild card for their maiden appearance.
Thia championships started in Dakar, Senegal in 1985. KPA started off their campaign in the final tour of this competition in the same West African city in 1999. Their best placing came in 2005 again at the very place. They wound up in the fourth spot missing the medal by a whiskrer. A total of seven teams took part.
Then came subsequent final tours in 2006 in Libreville, Gabon where they were placed 10th, 2007 in Maputo, Mozambique where they wound up in number 8. A year latter at home, they hanged up in the same position. Which begs the question - will Benin be any better ?
KPA qualified for the tournament during the zone five finals in Kampala, Uganda outclassing eight other teams to take gold. But even there it was not easy affiar. I was there and watched all their matches.
KPA cracked 39-64 against APR who were then stunned 66-74 by home girls, KCC. In that finals against KCC, they only broke open a close game with 3:11 minutes left in the last quarter with the losers hanging 43-53. Final score 67-47.
Both teams will carry the zonal flag to the show after the Ugandans got a wild card from Fiba Africa. And my predictions: KPA again battling their neighbours for the last two positions in the championships !
I will be proved wrong only if KPA do a major surgery to the team for better results. let it not be about trips and allowances - results not withstanding. Nothing except a podium finish will exite Kenyans this time round that is for sure.
Last year's winners Desportivo of Mozambique and runners up Primero Agosto of Angola too have older players in their squad. Deolinda Ngeula, named MVP in Nairobi and Mauricio Nascicella were the tournaments top two players. The duo are not younger players.
But they have made their experience count in past events and they remain their teams most precious assets. KPA too have players who have been around long enough but are they helpful ? Why cant the older players show the way in the team's quest for an African crown ?
Against Queen they played like minnows committing 31 turn overs, made 15 of their 30 free shots, were outrebounded at both ends of the court 33-12 defensively and 27-24 offensively. This statistics is not impressive at all coach Ojukwu and company.
KPA have less than two months to try something different. I am sure the technical bench know what the team needs. Whatever it is let be done. When the departure date for Cotonu reaches, God willing- I will be at the airport to see them off and wish them well as I have always done over the years.
And this time round I want to be there as the arrive back with medals dangling from their necks. This remains my only dream !
By Dann Owere