- The Women’s Basketball League Africa (2025 WBLA Zone 5 Qualifiers) are scheduled to tip off on Sunday, November 9, and will run through to November 15.
- Kenya will host the regional event at the Nyayo Stadium Gymnasium in Nairobi.
- KPA) and Zetech Sparks will represent the host nation, while other participating teams will come from Rwanda, Tanzania, Burundi, and Uganda.
The Women’s Basketball League Africa (WBLA) Zone 5 qualifiers are scheduled to tip off on Sunday, November 9, and will run through to November 15, 2025.
Kenya will host the event at the Nyayo Stadium Gymnasium, with the competition featuring two home teams, while they will be joined by participants from Rwanda, Tanzania, Burundi, and Uganda.
Regular contenders Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) will represent the nation, alongside debutants Zetech Sparks.
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2025 WBLA Zone 5 Qualifiers preview
KPA, the 2023 Zone Champions and continental silver medalists, are seeking to bounce back from a disappointing 2024 campaign.
They suffered a semifinal loss to the eventual champions, Al Ahly Sporting, and then fell to Rwanda’s APR in the third-place match, causing them to miss the continental showpiece last season.
The Antony Ajokwu-led squad has been intensifying their preparations, including a two-week playing build-up in Johannesburg.
They aim to dominate the zonal qualifiers and return to the continental podium, a feat they last achieved in 2023 when they finished third in Alexandria.
Furthermore, the Kenyan champions have bolstered their team with several key additions, such as Senegalese center Aminata Ly.
Ly was named the best rebounder at the 2024 WBLA, where she played for Rwanda Energy Group (REG) in her debut season of African club basketball.
Also returning to KPA is Ifunanya Okoro, a Nigerian Women’s AfroBasket winner who played for Alexandria Sporting Club in the 2024 WBLA.
These two international signings are complemented by the familiar faces of Kenya Lionesses Stars Mercy Wanyama and Betty Kananu, all of whom are seasoned veterans of this stage and the KPA team.
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KPA will open their campaign on Sunday night, playing host to Tanzania’s Foxes Divas, with tip-off set for 7:00 PM EAT.
They are joined by Zetech Sparks, who are making their debut after sitting out the 2023 competition despite finishing second in the Kenyan league under the leadership of Maurice Obilo.
Zetech will commence their inaugural campaign on Monday afternoon as the visitors against Burundi’s Les Hippos, with tip-off at 2:00 PM EAT.
Meanwhile, Rwanda will be represented by REG- who clinched both the 2025 Rwanda Cup and the league title, and their rivals APR. Both teams are considered favourites heading into the competition.
Elsewhere, WBLA bronze medallists APR, who placed third in last year’s zonal qualifiers and secured a continental wildcard, will be battling for an automatic qualification slot this time.
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Last year, the Charles Mushumba-led team featured standout players like the returning Italee Lucas, Shaina Pellington, and Kamba Yoro Diakite.
This trio was instrumental in securing the military team’s continental debut and podium finish.
The competition at the Nyayo Gymnasium will also feature Tanzania’s Fox Divas, Burundi’s Les Hippos and Gladiators, and Uganda’s Magic Stormers.
Women’s Basketball League Africa (WBLA) Zone 5 Qualifiers: KPA and Zetech Sparks Fixtures
All matches in EAT time / All held at Nyayo Gymnasium
KPA – Group A Fixtures
- Sun, Nov 9: KPA vs Foxes Divas – 7:00 PM
- Tues, Nov 11: KPA vs Magic Stormers – 7:00 PM
- Wed, Nov 12: Gladiators vs KPA – 7:00 PM
- Thur, Nov 13: APR Women BBC vs KPA – 7:00 PM
Zetech Sparks – Group B Fixtures
- Mon, Nov 10: Les Hippos vs Zetech Sparks – 2:00 PM
- Tue, Nov 11: Zetech Sparks vs REG Women BBC – 2:00 PM
- Thur, Nov 13: Zetech Sparks vs Don Bosco Lady Lioness – 2:30 PM