NAIROBI (Kenya) - In the absence of defending champions Remesha of Burundi, the second edition of the East Africa Basketball Championship Cup will crown a new title holder at the conclusion of the six-day competition, tipping off on Sunday, 5 October, at the Nyayo Stadium Gymnasium, Nairobi, Kenya.
This year’s championship has attracted five top teams from four countries battling for regional glory.
Kenyan league’s losing finalists, Kenya Ports Authority (KPA), third on the log at the inaugural competition hosted at the same venue in December last year, headline the entrants, bringing with them a wealth of experience from the international stage.
“We picked valuable lessons from last year’s run in this competition, and we have prepared well for the second edition, expecting tough competition. The target is lifting the Cup,” KPA skipper Gerry Wekesa told FIBA.basketball.
“We had a young squad last year, but those players have since gained experience in the league and are ready to go. We expect good matchups, especially against our local rivals Warriors and Umoja. We know they will be just as prepared, but we will focus on our game plan and handle each opponent accordingly.”
The skipper is expecting their key players, led by guards Lennox Wanje, and Tobias Odhiambo, part of Team Kenya that made its debut at the FIBA 3x3 World Pro Challenger in Tianjin, China, back in the country on Sunday. “They should be available from the second day of competition, and that adds to the team’s depth as we chase this title,” Wekesa opined.
The hosts will also see the national league’s bronze medalists, Ulinzi Warriors, make a comeback to the continental stage since their participation in the Road to BAL Elite 16 back in 2021.
The Bernard Mufutu-coached side make their debut in the regional competition, ready to put their league woes behind them and dominate.
"We bring the same intensity we had during the league playoffs against teams like Umoja and KPA. We have made adjustments to areas that eventually proved to be our undoing in the chase for the league title. Our turnovers and rebounding were costly lapses, but we have since worked on that.
We are aware every team is prepared, the Kenyan sides have beefed up their squads, but we will maintain our playing unit, while trusting the chemistry and depth we have built," Warriors captain John Washika, who guided the military side to their last league title in 2019, offered. Washika is preaching caution to his troops, despite boasting a squad with several national team players in the 3x3. "Their experience internationally will come in handy but the most important aspect for us is teamwork, a key aspect to excelling in the 5x5 discipline," he adds.
Meanwhile, new-look Umoja, are making their debut in the Zone Five regional tourney as well with their run in the national league for fourth place serving as motivation.
Tanzania will be represented by Stein Warriors while Ethiopia's Gambela City, who had initially been announced for the Road to BAL 2026, have instead signed up for the EABCC. The Ethiopian side is already in Nairobi ready to do battle.
Burundi's Les Hippos complete the list of teams registered so far. The three visiting teams arrived in Nairobi on Friday night and Saturday morning ready for battle.
FIBA