Kenya’s 5x5 men’s wheelchair basketball team lost 66-30 to a physically dominant Senegal side on Saturday at the Pavilhão Multiuso do Kilamba in Luanda, Angola, during the ongoing Africa Wheelchair Basketball Championships.
Speaking after the match, Kenya head coach Nicholas Ngumbi told Radio Generation that he remains unfazed, noting that his team opened the tournament against Africa’s heavyweights and is steadily improving.
“Yes, we have lost two in a row, but it’s no worry to me. We shall pick ourselves up tomorrow. The most important thing is that my boys are responding well to what I am teaching them. We shall get there,” Ngumbi said.
Kenya started strongly, showing Africa’s fourth-ranked side, Les Lions de Teranga, that they are no pushovers, with Milton Ilahuya scoring the opening basket.
It was a closely contested game early on, but Kenya trailed heading into the final quarter, with the third quarter ending at 26-50. Ilahuya combined well with vice-captain Itaken Timoi, who sank a three-pointer to close the quarter.
Senegal came out stronger in the fourth quarter, with Elhadji Diouf opening the scoring with a free throw after a foul by Ian Kanji.
Players Deudonne Dagoia, Salidou Diene and Eadagar Samb piled pressure on the Kenyan side, maintaining accuracy in their shooting, while Kenya struggled to convert chances, eventually falling 66-30 at the final buzzer.
On Sunday, Kenya’s men will face another African powerhouse, Algeria, at 11:00 am, and are also expected to play the Democratic Republic of Congo, subject to confirmation. Meanwhile, the women’s team will take on host nation Angola at 4:30 pm local time.
