Tanzania's Fox Divas produced a remarkable comeback to defeat Kenya's Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) 102-97, securing third place in the FIBA Women's Basketball League Africa (WBLA) Zone Five qualifiers. The match, held at the Filbert Bayi Olympafrica Centre in Kibaha, marked a significant turnaround for Fox Divas, who had previously lost to KPA 90-60 during the group stage. This victory gave the home supporters something to celebrate after a demanding campaign.
The Fox Divas' win was led by outstanding performances from Evelyne Nakiyingi, who scored 31 points, and Hope Akello, who contributed 25 points and 15 rebounds. Jescal Ngisaise added 18 points and six assists, while Gift Kaonga recorded 14 points and 17 rebounds, showcasing the team's scoring depth. In contrast, KPA's Tonie Morgan scored a game-high 33 points, but her efforts were not enough to overcome Fox Divas' determined performance.
The third-place playoff victory was particularly significant for Fox Divas, as it provided a measure of redemption after their struggles against KPA earlier in the tournament. The team's campaign, however, fell short of the ultimate prize, as they lost their semi-final 103-57 to Rwanda Energy Group (REG). REG went on to defeat APR 84-77 in the final, securing the Zone Five title and qualification for the WBLA continental finals.
The Fox Divas' bronze-medal finish offered valuable experience and demonstrated their capacity to respond under pressure. The tournament highlighted the work still required for Tanzanian women's basketball to compete consistently with the continent's leading clubs. Despite showing attacking quality and resilience, Fox Divas' heavy semi-final loss to REG illustrated the gap they must close to challenge for regional supremacy.
The FIBA Women's Basketball League Africa Zone Five qualifiers brought together eight clubs from Tanzania, Kenya, Rwanda, and Burundi. The competition provided a platform for teams to showcase their skills and gain experience in continental competitions. For Fox Divas, finishing third provided a positive conclusion to their campaign and a foundation on which the team can build as it seeks to improve its competitiveness in future continental competitions.
The WBLA continental finals are scheduled for December 11-20 in Egypt, and REG, along with APR, have earned qualification for the tournament. The continental finals will bring together the best teams from across Africa, providing a premier platform for women's basketball on the continent. Fox Divas' experience in the Zone Five qualifiers will be crucial in their future development and preparation for upcoming competitions.
The Fox Divas' performance in the FIBA Women's Basketball League Africa Zone Five qualifiers has provided a boost to Tanzanian women's basketball. The team's resilience and determination have shown that they can compete with the region's leading teams, and their bronze-medal finish has set a positive tone for future campaigns. As the team looks to build on this experience, they will aim to close the gap with the continent's top clubs and challenge for regional supremacy.
Key points
- Fox Divas secured third place in the FIBA Women's Basketball League Africa Zone Five qualifiers by defeating Kenya's KPA 102-97.
- The team's bronze-medal finish provided valuable experience and demonstrated their capacity to respond under pressure.
- Fox Divas' performance has set a positive tone for future campaigns, as they look to improve their competitiveness in continental competitions.
