Kenya: Telkon Girls Falter in Continental Tournament

20 May 2001
The Nation (Nairobi)
By Caxton Apollo

Kenya's representatives in the Africa women's basketball club championship, Telkom, yesterday made a false start in the competition when Academica Maputo of Mozambique thrashed them 81-64 in the first leg tie at Nyayo National Stadium.

Telkom will require a miracle of turning the tables and win by 19 points in the return leg set for Maputo after three weeks if the Kenyans hope to continue in the tournament.

Yesterday, the visitors proved the better side applying good basic skills leaving the home team to struggle throughout the match.

After Anna Flovia missed an opening lay-up, international Nadia Rodrigues, who damaged the local girls, hit a three-pointer to lead 3-0.

With Telkom's four internationals, Wilkister Oduor, Pamella Asige and Caroline "Majeng" Achieng' failing to settle, Eunice Ouma gave the home team the first basket at 2-3.

Telkom, then got a rude reply as Rodrigues, who never rested, poured seven points giving her team a deserved 10-5 advantage.

Surprisingly, the venue looked strange to the hosts with experienced players, led by veteran Oduor, fumbling to make turn-overs which cost them dearly.

Academica, who looked more comfortable with the venue, displayed an easy game of good passing and scored at will to build a 10 point (18-8) in first quarter.

Guard Deolinda Nguela, the shortest on the court, successfully battled the tall Kenyan forwards and her fantastic steals gave her side a good run.

Academica led 20-9 in first quarter and remained in a class of their own to take a deserved 44-28 half-time lead.

The Mozambicans' top players Amelia Cabral, Nica Gemo and Ondina Nhampossa were ejected by South Africa referee Simon Mofolo, but the university side still remained too smart for Telkom.

Telkom came into the game in the third quarter when Achieng', Asige and Ouma connected six unanswered points to narrow the gap to 12 points at (53-41).

Academica went again on fire and exploded into a 24 points lead (73-49) to make things difficult for the local girls.

Rodrigues scored 31 points, Nguela had 12 and Flovia 15 for Academica while Ouma, Oduor and Mikal Odhiambo replied with 10 each for Telkom.

Academica coach Francis Conceicao said they expect to win with bigger margin at home since two of their experienced players did not make the squad to Nairobi.

Telkom coach Thomas Olumbo said: We started poorly and missed 25 free-throws from the line after my international players failed to deliver as expected. There is still hope since I intend to lay a strategy after watching the match video."

Line-up: Academica: Shiela Chichava, Deolinda Nguela, Anna Flovia, Amelia Cabral, Nica Gemo, Nadia Rodrigues, Lucia Ganhe, Martha Raimundo, Martha, Ganje, Ondina Nhampossa, Dulcinda Nhampossa, Francisco Canceicaon (coach).

Telkom: Wilkister Oduor, Caroline Achieng, Eunice Ouma, Frida Makokha, Mikal Odhiambom Hilda Mwelesa, Lucy Achieng, Emilly Chepcumba, Emilly Nafuna, Pamella Asige, Frida Makokha, Muareen Akoth, Mary Edith, Thomas Olumbo (coach).

Referees: Simom Mofolo, South Africa, Vitalis Gode (Kenya), match commissair Ainsworth (South Africa).

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