- KPA let it slip by 11 points to APR, losing 81–71 in the WBLA Zone 5 Qualifiers Group A encounter.
- The clash was staged on Thursday, November 13, at a packed Nyayo Gymnasium.
- Meanwhile, Zetech Sparks picked up their first win in their first-ever appearance.
Kenya Basketball champions Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) squandered an 11-point lead against Rwandan giants’ APR, falling narrowly 81-71 in a thrilling 2025 Women’s Basketball League Africa (WBLA) Zone Five qualifier on Thursday night at the Nyayo Gymnasium.
Both teams entered this clash with perfect 3-0 records in Group A, making them evenly matched contenders for the victory.
However, the Rwandan powerhouses proved their mettle, staging an impressive comeback after trailing by double digits in the first half to dominate the second, sealing victory and finishing top of Pool A en route to the semifinals.
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Four APR players recorded double figures, led by Kamba Yoro Diakite, who delivered a commanding performance with 24 points, six rebounds, and two assists.
Destiny Promise contributed 19 points, Italee Lucas added 20, while Yacine Diop rounded out the scoring quartet with 12 points.
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For coach Antony Ojukwu Oloo’s squad, only three players managed to reach double figures.
Alima Doumbia led KPA with a strong performance of 24 points, four rebounds, and four assists. Ifunanya Okoro contributed a double-double of 20 points and 12 rebounds, along with seven assists, while Senegalese center Aminata Ly added 11 points.
APR vs KPA WBLA Zone 5 Qualifiers Report
Despite a sluggish start that saw KPA trail by five in the opening four minutes, they gathered momentum to end the first quarter with a seven-point lead, 24-17.
Doumbia scored eight points in that period, while Betty Kananu came off the bench and ignited the team with two quick three-pointers.
For APR, Destiny Promise was the primary scorer with seven points, while Yoro Diakite added five.
The second quarter was a tightly contested affair, but KPA held their nerve with stout defense and efficient offense.
They extended their advantage to 44-33 by halftime, thanks largely to Doumbia’s 15 points, followed closely by Ifunanya Okoro with 11 and Kananu with eight.
APR, who struggled with their defensive structure and seemed unsettled by the packed Nyayo Gymnasium, had only one player, Destiny Promise (14 points), in double digits by the break, with the previously effective Diakite adding nine.
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Returning from halftime with renewed energy, APR mounted a charge in the third quarter.
They roared back from an 11-point deficit to win the period 21-10, tying the game at 54-54.
KPA faltered during this stretch, unable to generate defensive stops or penetrate APR’s resurgent defense, setting the stage for a thrilling final quarter.
Although KPA tried to fight to reclaim the lead, a revitalized APR proved too strong in the fourth period, sealing the game with a 27-17 run. The 81-71 victory gave APR a perfect 4-0 record in the group stage and the top seed, while KPA was left to rue its defensive lapses in second place.
KPA will now face the Group B winners, another Rwandan side, REG Women BBC, in tomorrow’s semifinals.
APR will take on Les Hippos of Burundi in the other semifinal clash on the same day.
Zetech Sparks secure first win in WBLA Zone Five Qualifiers
Meanwhile, debutants and fellow Kenyan representatives Zetech Sparks secured their first tournament victory after enduring two consecutive losses in Group B.
They handily defeated the winless Don Bosco Lady Lionesses 84-62, controlling the game with quarter scores of 23-10, 15-12, and 19-12 before a slight fourth-quarter slip (27-28).
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The match saw Mary Lisa Omondi lead the Maurice Obilo-coached side with an impressive 22 points, eight rebounds, and four assists.
Three of her teammates also scored in double figures: Christine Akinyi with 15 points, Angela Odour with 11, and Roseline Akinyi with 10.
Their next encounter will be on Saturday at the same venue, with their opponent to be announced in due course.
Women’s Basketball League Africa (WBLA Zone 5 Qualifiers): KPA and Zetech Sparks Fixtures and Results
All held at Nyayo Gymnasium
KPA – Group A Fixtures
- Sun, Nov 9: KPA 87-51 Foxes Divas
- Tues, Nov 11: KPA 94-41 Magic Stormers
- Wed, Nov 12: Gladiators 42-100 KPA
- Thur, Nov 13: APR Women BBC 81-71 KPA
Zetech Sparks – Group B Fixtures
- Mon, Nov 10: Les Hippos 75-61 Zetech Sparks
- Tue, Nov 11: Zetech Sparks 44-86 REG Women BBC
- Thur, Nov 13: Zetech Sparks 84-62 Don Bosco Lady Lioness