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The US-based point guard was in a class of his own as he led the scoring with 19 points as Kenya started their campaign on a high
Kenya Moran's point guard Derrick Ogechi has credited his starring performance in their 2023 FIBA AfroCan opening victory over the Ivory Coast to motivation from his teammates.
Ogechi was the star of the show as Kenya beat the Ivorians 62-52 at the Arena Kilamba, in Luanda, Angola on Saturday to begin their AfroCan campaign in winning fashion.
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15:15 - 08.07.2023
BASKETBALL Morans secure resounding victory over Ivory Coast in FIBA AfroCan opener
Coach Owuor's tactical adjustments lead Morans to a 62-52 victory at Arena Kilamba in Angola.
The US-based player poured in 19 points, which included nine from three-pointers from his eight attempts from distance, while Ulrich Kra was Ivory Coast’s top scorer with 14.
Ogechi also contributed defensively for Kenya with three steals while he managed eight rebounds and one assist to complete an impressive outing.
“I just came out here ready to play the game. My teammates had been urging me to keep shooting and I just let it fly,” the 24-year-old told FIBA after the match.
Bush Wamukota (19 rebounds and one block) and Fidel Okoth (four assists) were the other top performers for Cliff Owuor’s men as the 2019 finalists announced their intentions of going one better this time around.
In what was a repeat of the 2021 FIBA Afrobasket group phase tie when the Ivorians won 88-70, Kenya exerted revenge this time by winning by a 10-point margin.
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13:00 - 06.07.2023
BASKETBALL KIU Titans forward makes final Kenya Morans AFRO-CAN team
The Kenya Morans will go into the tournament hoping to clinch gold, having finished second in the 2019 event in Bamako, Mali.
The Morans claimed the first quarter 15-10 before edging the second 19-17 but their opponents rallied in the third which they tied 15-15 before Owuor’s men edged the final one 13-10.
Kenya are without top stars Tyler Ongwae, Desmond Owili, Ronnie Gundo, and Joseph Khaemba for the 2023 event but those present look ready for the challenge going by their performance against the West Africans, who are making a return after their 10th-place finish four years ago.
Owuor’s charges will, however, need to improve their efficiency from the free throw line after managing a conversion rate of 38 percent compared to their opponents’ 58 percent.
There were also a number of ball-handling errors from Ariel Ortega which contributed to loss of possession that they will have to cut out ahead of their next group match against Gabon on Monday.
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10:49 - 08.07.2023
FKFPL Gor Mahia dealt setback as CAF makes amendments to club competition rules
K'Ogalo will now have to put all their efforts into the more daunting Champions League as there will be no second opportunity at continental football next season
Unlike the much-experienced Ivorians, Gabon are making a debut at the tournament which could play in Kenya’s hands or work against them given they are an unknown entity.
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