The national women’s basketball team ‘Lionesses’ on Monday have arrived in Kampala, Uganda for the 2023 FIBA Women’s Afrobasket Zone Five Qualifiers.

The team comprises 12 players, eight local based and four foreign based, from the 27 provisional squad that had been named last month by the Kenya Basketball Federation.

The notable changes include addition of Rose Ouma who plays in the United Arab Emirates and Rachael Odhiambo who plays in Uganda- both the players were missing in the provisional squad.

The team will be led by Captain Mellisa Akinyi who plays for Equity Hawks, assisted by Natalie Mwangale who trades with Kenya Ports Authority.

The foreign based players are former captain Rose Ouma who plays in the United Arab Emirates, Victoria Reynolds who plays for Imortal Tcars, Portugal and Mercy Wanyama who trades with AD Cortegada in Spain.

USA-based Felmas Koranga who was instrumental in the last edition has been left out despite.

The qualifiers have attracted five teams, and will begin Tuesday stretching to February 19, at the MTN Lugogo Arena with just a ticket up for grabs.

Hosts Uganda, Egypt, Kenya, South Sudan and Rwanda will be fighting for the ticket.

The winner will represent the region in the All Africa Games in August, Accra-Ghana and Afrobasket championship in December, Kigali-Rwanda.

FULL LIST

Point Guards

1. Natalie Mwangale Akinyi- KPA

2. Deborah Obunga Atieno- Equity Hawks

Shooting Guards

3. Mellisa Otieno Akinyi- Equity Hawks

4. Selina Okumu- KPA

Power Forwards

5. Christine Akinyi- Zetech Sparks

6. Maryanne Wanjiku Nyagaki- Equity Hawks

7. Velma Owino- KPA