A Debut Marked by Nerves

NAIROBI—Kenya’s Zetech Sparks basketball team faced a harsh reality check in their inaugural appearance at the Women’s Basketball League Africa (WBLA) Zone Five qualifiers, succumbing to a 75-61 defeat against Burundi’s Les Hippos on Monday, November 10, 2025. The match, held at Nairobi’s Nyayo National Stadium Gymnasium, highlighted the significant gap in experience between the Kenyan league runners-up and their more seasoned regional counterparts.

Head Coach Maurice Obilo attributed the loss to “stage fright and inexperience,” a sentiment echoed by players and analysts. “I expected this because I have a very young team and almost all of them have never played at this stage,” Obilo stated in a post-match interview on Monday. “It was just a matter of experience at this level.” The Sparks, who qualified for the tournament by finishing second in the Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) women's premier league, found the regional stage a formidable challenge. With the exception of Mary Lisa Omondi and national team player Ashley Minayo, the majority of the squad was new to this level of competition.

Game Analysis: A Tale of Four Quarters

The Burundian side, Les Hippos, established their dominance early, taking the first quarter 15-14 before extending their lead to 35-24 by halftime. Zetech struggled with offensive conversions and costly turnovers, which Les Hippos effectively capitalized on. The Burundian team's superior ball movement and synergy were evident throughout the game. By the end of the third quarter, Les Hippos had built a commanding 59-39 lead.

A late surge from Zetech in the fourth quarter, where they outscored their opponents, proved to be too little, too late. Coach Obilo noted the improved performance in the final period as a sign of growing confidence. “We could see the fourth quarter was better but a little bit late. But, the confidence will come. They can compete at this level. I am 100 percent sure about this,” he remarked.

Veteran player Christine Akinyi was a standout performer for the Sparks, scoring 18 points and securing seven rebounds, while Ashley Minayo added 10 points. Point guard Mary Lisa Omondi, who returned to Zetech for the tournament after a stint with USIU, contributed eight points, five rebounds, and six assists. For Les Hippos, Senegalese import Diedhiou Laurence Sabine led the scoring with a game-high 19 points.

The Kenyan Context: A Stepping Stone

Zetech Sparks' participation marks a significant, albeit challenging, step for the university team. This is their debut in the prestigious tournament which serves as the qualifier for the continental WBLA finals. The team had previously qualified but had to withdraw from the 2023 edition, reportedly due to financial constraints. Their presence alongside national champions Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) underscores Kenya's growing representation in regional basketball. KPA, in contrast, began their campaign with a decisive 81-57 victory over Tanzania's Foxes Divas.

The experience, though bruising, is seen as a crucial learning curve. “Most of the players are at this stage for the first time but we will catch up,” said Mary Lisa Omondi. “We have grown from this game and now we know how to start better.” Coach Obilo has remained optimistic, emphasizing a long-term perspective. “I will not put a lot of pressure on them, they will gain experience and as the tournament progresses we will see a better performance,” he affirmed.

The tournament, which runs from Sunday, November 9, to Saturday, November 15, will see Zetech face formidable opponents in Group B, including Rwanda Energy Group (REG) and Tanzania's Don Bosco Lionesses. Their next match is scheduled for Tuesday, November 11, against REG, a team considered a tournament favourite. The outcome of their campaign will be a key indicator of the development trajectory of Kenyan club basketball on the African stage.