NAIROBI (Kenya) - For Kenya Ports Authority, a podium finish is what is lacking in their many years of participation in the FIBA Africa Champions Cup for Women.

But the 16-time Kenya champions who remain the most successful team n the country are determined to put all that behind them when they take another stride in the tournament slated for Maputo, Mozambique December 9-17.

KPA  hopes to emulate the feat achieved by compatriots Eagle Wings who became the first Kenyan club to make a podium finish when they bagged the bronze medal in 2013 in Meknes, Morocco.

The ports women have been to many  tournaments having made their debut in Dakar, Senegal in 1999 finishing last in the five team tournament. That was the beginning of a long and fruitless journey with heir next stop being in Libreville, Gabon in 2006.

In that outing, forward Gladys Wanyama did the team and the nation proud. She was the dockers brightest star finishing as the events best rebounder and also first in 2 point field goal and first in steals

KPA's best outing in the championship remains 2017 in Luanda, Angola where they finished in fifth place out of 12 teams that took part.

Their other participations include 2007 in Maputo, Mozambique, 2008 in the Kenyan capital Nairobi where they sadly finished eight in front of heir home fans.

In 2009 they went to Cotonou, Benin, 2011 in Lagos, Nigeria, 2014 in Sfaxien, Tunisia, 2016 in Maputo, 2017 and 2018 in Luanda whee guard Jamilla Nasikombe was named to the All Star Five team.

The 16 time Kenyan champions have dominate the FIBA Africa Zone Five show for many years earning their tickets to the festival as either the winners or runners up. In October in a tournament held at the Benjamin Mkapa Indoor Stadium in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Anthony Ojukwu

KPA lost 78-67 to Sporting Alexandria Club (ASC) from Egypt who were making their first appearance in a fiercely contested finals. They also beat Armee Patriotique Du Rwanda (APR) 61-39 in the semi finals.

In their other matches, they torched Tanzania's Vijana Queens 74-39, over powering Rwanda Energy Group (REG) of Rwanda in the last quarter with a 67-42 victory and Young Sister of Burundi 69-42.

The team is stronger at the back court where there are quality players. the front court led by the brightest Kenyan youngster and national team player Medina Okot remains a tower of power. Vilma Owino will provide the much needed experience and there is versatility as well.

if there is any worries, it must be at he bench and this is one area the experienced Anthony Ojukwu will have to take a keen look at. If he strenthens this department, there is hope  rewrads will be reaped this time round.'

Key players remain play maker Natalie Akinyi who is dubbed by her coach as the "engine' of the side, Her back court mate Jemimah Knight and Rita Anyango are expected to also expected to shine.

The contributions of the USA-based trio of Victoria Reynolds, who was named the event's top scorer, Kristina Kings and Britney Nicole were also immense for KPA.

Veteran coach Ojukwu who started off his campaign in Africa championships over two decades ago has immensaurable experience. He has navigated the ports team course in many tournaments both in the Egon and throughout Africa.

But he has yet o reap its reward. He says he will continue knocking at the door and believes success will come sooner rather than latter.

If KPA is to make noise against Africa's top guns in this competition, the time is now.

FIBA