NAIROBI, Kenya, Oct 16 – National men’s basketball league champions Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) have arrived in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania ahead of the 2024 Basketball Africa League first round qualifiers.
The dockers, who have heavily recruited for their third appearance at the BAL had their first session in Dar on Wednesday.
They will tip off their campaign in the four-team tournament at 4pm on Thursday evening against Burundi’s Dynamo at the IST Gymnasium.
KPA have heavily recruited for their campaign in Dar es Salaam, bringing in foreign based platers to boost their ambition to qualify to the BAL final tournament for the first time ever.
They have brought on board American Tyronne Jordan, Malian forward Abdoulaye Haidara , Nigerian Bright Akhuetie as well as guard Luqman Lundy.
Also linking up with the team once again is journeyman Ariel Okall, who has had different stints across the continent.
The tournament will involve four teams, with the winner progressing to the final qualification round, the Elite 16 tournament.
The team will be coached by French tactician Guy Arnaud, who has been brought in to supplement the efforts of locals Sammy Kiki and Anthony Ojukwu, who have been long time tacticians of the Mombasa-based side.
Apart from KPA and Burundi’s Dynamo, the tournament will also involve hosts Pazi BBC as well as Benin Champions Elan Coton who have come in to replace Ethiopian side Sabeta City.
Group C, East Division (October 19-21-Dar es Salaam, Tanzania)
Fixtures:
October 19: Pazi BBC vs. Elan Coton; KPA vs. Dynamo
October 20: Dynamo vs. Pazi BBC; Elan Coton vs. KPA
October 21: Pazi BBC vs. KPA; Dynamo vs. Elan Coton
