KIGALI (Rwanda) - Kenya caught some by surprise during the inaugural edition of the FIBA AfroCan four years ago in Bamako, Mali, but for Tylor Ongwae there was a reason for such a successful campaign.

The Morans overcame Nigeria, Cote d'Ivoire, Tunisia and Morocco, but beating DR Congo proved mission impossible.

Kenya started their 2019 AfroCan campaign with an 82-65 loss against DR Congo before falling 82-61 to the Congolese in the Final to finish second. 

It was Kenya' s first podium finish at a continental competition.

"We fought as a team," Ongwae said to the FIBA.basketball.

In the build-up to the 2023 FIBA AfroCan to be held in Angola in July, Kenya appear as one of the four teams that have qualified automatically by virtue of reaching the AfroCan Semi-Final in 2019.

Other teams that qualified automatically for the twelve-nation event include reigning champions DR Congo, Angola and Morocco.

Can Kenya replicate or go a step further at the next AfroCan?

"Early preparation is key," Ongwae said.

Tylor Ongwae averaged team-highs of 21.7 points, 7.7 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game

He went on saying that early planning and preparation can deliver wonders: "If you want to do well or even win the AfroCan, prepare early. If you prepare early you give yourself a chance to win," the 31-year-old emphasised, adding: "but in Kenya we always start late, that's what's been throughout the years."

The FIBA AfroCan is aimed at locally-based players to represent their countries at continental level.

And for Kenya, finishing second "It was really significant because we really prepared for that tournament for two months," Ongwae recalled.

"The funny thing is that most of us - the players - we were rivals in high school, but when we came together we gelled. It was fun to be around the guys… We played for the each other."

When Ongwae looks back at Kenya's 2019 AfroCan campaign, he feels they could have done better, but he is also humble enough to admit that the better team won the Championship.

"They were tall… They could rebound the ball.. They had good guards.. We fell short to them because they were better than us," Ongwae said of DR Congo who finished 5-0 in the Malian capital city.

"If they concentrate in their practice and chemistry they can get far," said Ongwae who last played for ABC during the BAL season 3 and is now a free-agent. 

Asked about the importance of the FIBA AfroCan, the 2.00m (6ft 7in) shooting guard noted that "It means a lot because we need to develop our local players. The more we develop our local players, the better our basketball get. It's a good platform to promote them."

Ongwae hasn't played for Kenya since the 2021 FIBA AfroBasket, and his future with the Morans seems to be over.

"Firstly, I have been struggling with injuries for the last two years," he replied when asked about his absence from the national team.

"I decided to use this summer to rehab and get better, prepare for the next season. Other things is just local politics and stuff like that."

Ongwae and his fellow Tom Wamukota were named to the 2019 AfroCan All-Tournament team.

Tom Wamukota and Tylor Ongwae

Reflecting on the event, Ongwae felt honoured for such accomplishment. "It’s just for us to keep on building and encourage each other',"

Talking about Kenya's future basketball generation, Ongwae said there is a need "to change the  system of basketball in Kenya.

"Most of the time we play run and gun. We want to bring more system into a player. I coach a local team back home. It's something every summer I try to emphasise or help to the team. I also tell other guys from the national team to go and spread their experience. Youth are the future. It's easier to learn at young age than to learn as older players," Ongwae noted.

FIBA