The 2013 FIBA Africa championship for women kicks off on September 20. Kenya qualified after winning the East Africa zone ahead of Egypt, Rwanda, hosts Tanzania and Uganda.

Having qualified, Kenya have been placed in group B alongside Angola, Cameroon, Nigeria, Mali and Cape Verde. Team Kenya have been training under coach Ronnie Owino since September 10.

Five players – Brenda Wasuda, Miriam Wandanda, Mildred Olumasi and Beatrice Awino whom the Daily Nation had reported would arrive to play for team Kenya will not be arriving after all.

However Kenya have been strengthened by the arrival of  Rose Ouma who plays in Dubai with Al Nasr. She will be the most experienced player on the team having played for Kenya at the All Africa Games in 2003, 2007 and 2011, Ouma will be one of the key players for the team and is ready for the challenge. “Its always good to play for the national team. With my experience, I believe I have something positive to offer to this team,”.

Uganda Christian University’s Purity Auma is the other foreign based player making the team. Kenya will be counting on Hilda Indasi who was the zone 5 MVP during the qualifiers and Silalei Shani-Owuor who was voted the MVP of the recently concluded East Africa club basketball championships.

The Kenya squad in training is :
Annerose Atieno, Angela Okoth, Vilma Akinyi, Silalei Shani, Samba Mjomba (Eagle Wings), Brenda Angeshi, Deborah Obunga (KPA), Denise Apondi, Grace Wanjiku (Strathmore University), Susan Akinyi (Storms), Purity Auma (UCU, Uganda), Linda Alando, Eleanor Musundi, (Co-op Bank), Zipporah Odhiambo, Emma Nyakweba, Hilda Indasi (USIU), Betty Kananu (KU Oryx), Rose Ouma (Dubai).

Nigeria won the tournament in 2003 and 2005 but have since fallen off. They will be counting on Rashidat Sadiq who played for USA college basketball powerhouse, University of Connecticut before playing proferssionally in Turkey and Poland. Other foreign based players on the team include Helen Ogunjimi, Rosalyn Fatima, Gold-Onwude, Sarah Imovbioh, Chinyere Ibekwe, Tolu Omotola, Sarah Ogoke, Rashidat Sadiq, Ndidi Madu, Sandra Udobi and Kikelomo Rafiu.

Nigeria will be coached by veteran Scott Nnaji. “The major challenge we have is funds because we have to get so many things done and it is not easy to get clubs to release players at this period” said Nnaji.

Angola who are the defending champions have taken no chances and have been training since July 15. Their squad includes several foreign based players including Clarisse Mpaka (France) and Whitney Miguel (France) as well as local based players:  Catarina Camufal, Mereciana Fernandes, Astrida Vicente, Ngendula Filipe, Nadir Manuel, Judsite Queta, Sónia Guadalupe (Interclube), Fineza Eusébio, Rosa Gala, Helena Francisco, Nacissela Maurício, Felizarda Jorge, Madalena Félix, Ana Gonçalves, Luísa Tomás (1º de Agosto), Madalena Valentim (Juventude de Viana), Rosemira Daniel (Grupo Desportivo do Maculusso)

Mali are Africa’s highest ranked team. They have in their ranks Maiga Hamchetou who plays in the WNBA. They also have 3 France based professionals while the rest of the team is mostly drawn from AC Djoliba, the top team in Mali.

Cape Verde has called up five professional players in its squad drawn from France, Portugal, Angola and USA.

Kenya open their campaign against Cameroon on September 20. The 12 teams championship doubles up as the main qualifier for the 2014 FIBA World Championships for Women that will be held in Turkey.