BAMAKO (Mali ) - Kenya star-player Tylor Ongwae has described the AfroCan Championship as a blessing to his country basketball. 

Speaking to FIBA.basketball ahead their Quarter-Final clash against Tunisia, the tournament leading scorer with 75-point from three games says he is delighted to wear his nation's colour in an African competition.

Rating the Championship  

"The championship is a good one and good a initiative which affords players cannot make their countries A-team to bigger tournaments because most federation would like to parade its best hands for such competitions and for such bigger competitions  play in Europe and America, another major advantage of the AfroCan is that it will help improve the standard of leagues across the continent.

But for Kenya, the competition is an eye opener and a blessing because it provided us (Kenya) the opportunity to put in place solid foundation for the continuous development of our basketball with a vision of qualifying for the next FIBA AfroBasket.

"WE KNOW TUNISIA ARE A GREAT SIDE HAVING BEEN TO MOST MAJOR COMPETITION IN AFRICA [……] BUT I BET YOU WE WILL COMPETE AND WE ARE MOTIVATED ENOUGH TO TAKE ON THEM."- Ongwae

Missing Previous FIBA AfroBasket

The 28-year-old forward did not hide his displeasure in what he described as the lack of commitment from some key players who are usually not available for zonal qualifiers which is a prerequisite to qualify for the continent biggest basketball showpiece but he is happy that those have become a  thing of the past as players have shown greater commitment to national duties and the Kenyan federation have demonstrated a renew vigour to the game .

The Denmark-based 2.01m (6ft7in) reliable applauded the Kenya Basketball Federation for following through it's plans to put Kenya basketball back on the right path which has started yielding results.

Quarter final against Tunisia 

"We know Tunisia are a great side having being to most major competition in Africa and one of the five African countries that will feature at the FIBA Basketball World Cup next month in China which is enough motivation for the team here in Mali but I  bet you  we will compete and we are motivated enough to take on them."

"Our records (2-1) so far in the AfroCan is enough motivation we needed to go all out against any opponent and Tunisia won't be an exception."

Personal ambition in #AfroCan 2019

"Honestly I don't have personal ambition whatsoever in the competition but my resolution is for Kenya and for Kenyans globally, but as a player I will feel on top of the world if we make it to the podium."

Ongwae was very instrumental for his country in the three games they have played, showing up at critical moment to rally his teammates one such was his buzzer beater against Cote d'Ivoire which saw them through the Quarter-Final qualifications.

The enterprising small forward finished the game in double double of 24 points and 10 rebounds.

FIBA