- KPA defeat Les Hippos to secure 2025 Women’s Basketball League Africa spot in Cairo, Egypt.
- They managed to beat the Burundian side 89–81 in a heart-pounding third-place playoff during the WBLA Zone Five qualifiers.
- The tournament was held at the Nyayo Gymnasium, with Saturday, November 15 marking its final day.
The national basketball champions, Kenya Ports Authority (KPA), survived a major scare from the Burundian giants Les Hippos, edging them out 89-81 in a heart-stopping Zone Five qualifiers third-place playoff to advance to the 2025 Women’s Basketball League Africa (WBLA) in Cairo, Egypt.
After suffering back-to-back defeats from Rwandan teams- APR in the group stage and REG in the semifinals, KPA saw their hopes of qualification hinge on this final playoff.
Despite squandering a 22-point lead and being forced into overtime, the team ultimately rallied to secure the vital victory.
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KPA defeat Les Hippos to secure 2025 Women’s Basketball League Africa spot
Under coach Antony Ojukwu Oloo, five KPA players scored in double digits.
Veteran Betty Kananu led the charge with 17 points, six rebounds, and two assists, closely followed by Alima Doumbia, who contributed 15 points.
Senegalese forward Aminata Ly also delivered a strong performance, securing a double-double with 15 rebounds and 14 points. Natalie Mwangale and Yvonne Atieno added 11 and 10 points, respectively.
On the opposing side, coach Belyse Gateka’s Les Hippos had four players in double figures.
Laurence Sabine spearheaded their effort with 20 points, with Brittany Nichole 18, Judith Hamel 15, and Nicole Collins 14 also making significant contributions.
The match at Nyayo Gymnasium began with KPA in dominant form, closing the first quarter with a commanding 22-6 lead, fueled by six points each from Aminata Ly and Betty Kananu.
The second period was more evenly matched, ending 22-22, but KPA maintained a solid 44-28 advantage at halftime.
The momentum shifted after the break, as the Burundian side came out with renewed energy.
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They won the third quarter 18-15, narrowing the deficit to 13 points.
The fourth quarter was a dramatic affair; Les Hippos staged a stunning comeback, erasing a 13-point gap by capitalizing on KPA’s fouls and converting their free throws.
With just 54 seconds left on the clock, the score was tied at 74-74. A late free throw from KPA and an answering score from Hippos leveled the game at 75-75, forcing an exhilarating overtime.
The extra period was a nail-biting affair, but KPA seized control early, establishing a five-point lead which they extended to ultimately clinch an 89-81 victory.
This win secures KPA a wildcard spot, sending them back to the continental stage after missing out last year.
The two Rwandan finalists, APR and REG, will also qualify automatically for the tournament.