Kenya Ports Authority surrendered third place to Tanzania’s Fox Divas after a 102-97 defeat in the third-place playoff of the eight-team Zone 5 qualifiers, which concluded on Saturday, 24 October in Kibaha, Tanzania. The result complicates the Samuel Ocholla-led KPA’s chances of returning to the Women’s Basketball League Africa, where they received a wild card last year after finishing third in the qualifiers in Nairobi.
KPA had earlier beaten Fox Divas 90-60 in the group phase on Tuesday, 20 October, but could not repeat that performance. Tonie Morgan led the Dockers with a game-high 33 points and two assists shy of a double-double, while Victoria Reynolds scored 19, Alima Doumbia 18 and Christine Akinyi 11.
Fox Divas were powered by Ugandan point guard Evelyne Nakiyingi and centre Hope Akello, who scored 31 and 25 points respectively. Akello also collected 15 rebounds, while Zambian power forward Gift Kaonga added 14 points and 17 rebounds. Jescal Ngisaise scored 18 and Judith Pantaleo 10.
The match featured 11 lead changes and six ties. KPA won the third quarter 31-23 and entered the final period leading 74-71, but Fox Divas produced a seven-point run to lead 90-85. Despite scoring 19 points from 21 turnovers and committing only five, the Kenyan champions were out-rebounded 39-21 and failed to recover.
