Reigning African champions, Alexandria Sporting Club (ASC) from Egypt, are set to renew their rivalry with Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) in the much-anticipated 2023 Africa Women’s Basketball League (AWBL) finals.
The clash is scheduled to take place on Tuesday evening, marking the culmination of an exhilarating journey in the AWBL.
ASC, a powerhouse in African women’s basketball, enters the finals with an air of confidence after a commanding performance in the semi-finals.
The Egyptian giants secured a convincing 100-74 victory against Angola’s Inter Clube, earning the right to face KPA once again in a rematch of their last preliminary Group A match. In that encounter, ASC emerged triumphant with a formidable 102-77 victory, underscoring their dominance in the tournament.
On the other side of the court, KPA, led by captain Natalie Akinyi Mwangale, made history by becoming the first Kenyan team to reach the finals of a FIBA Africa clubs competition.
Their path to the championship match was paved with a stunning upset in the semi-finals, where they overcame the star-studded Rwanda Energy Group (REG) with a final scoreline of 101-97.
Mwangale’s exceptional double-double of 26 points and 13 assists, coupled with a remarkable performance by Victoria Reynolds, propelled KPA to victory.
As the dockers prepare to face ASC in the finals, they are well aware of the challenge that lies ahead. The Egyptians exhibited their prowess in a dominant performance last Friday, securing a 39-14 first-quarter lead against KPA.
Despite a strong comeback attempt by KPA in the last quarter, ASC’s comprehensive victory in the group stage serves as a reminder of the uphill battle awaiting the Kenyan champions.
For KPA, the task is clear – they must bring their A-game from the first quarter to the last to avoid a repeat of the group stage defeat.
The AWBL finals promise a thrilling spectacle as ASC and KPA vie for supremacy, each aiming to etch their name in the annals of African women’s basketball history.
The stage is set for an intense showdown between two basketball powerhouses, and fans eagerly await the final chapter of this captivating tournament.
