The Kenya National Women’s Basketball Team, the Lioness, continued their slow start in the FIBA Women’s AfroBasket 2025 Zone 5 Pre-Qualifiers on Tuesday, February 5, 2025, as they lost to South Sudan 86-69 in their second pool phase match played in Cairo, Egypt.

This marked the Lioness’ second defeat, having previously lost their first group phase game 78-56 to Uganda.

Under the guidance of coach George Mayienga, the Lioness initially took a 19-14 lead by the end of the first quarter. However, they let the lead slip away, suffering defeats in the subsequent quarters with scores of 24-11, 23-15, and 25-24, resulting in an 86-69 final score in favor of South Sudan.

The FIBA Women’s AfroBasket 2025 Zone 5 Pre-Qualifiers, which began on February 3, 2025, will run until February 8, 2025, at the Hassan Mostafa Arena in Giza, Egypt. Six nations—Egypt, Kenya, Burundi, Tanzania, South Sudan, and Uganda—are competing for a coveted spot in the FIBA Women’s AfroBasket 2025, scheduled to be held in Côte d’Ivoire.

The Lioness are pooled alongside host nation Egypt, Uganda, Burundi, and South Sudan in a win-or-go-home scenario as they vie for a ticket to the continental showdown in Côte d’Ivoire.

They are set to face off against Burundi in their third game on February 5, 2025, at 16:30 before wrapping up their pool phase matches against hosts Egypt on February 7, 2025, at 19:00.

Kenya Lioness Squad in Egypt:

Natalie Akinyi (KPA Women), Ashley Minayo (Zetech Sparks), Elizabeth Okumu (Equity Hawks), Jemimah Night (Equity Hawks), Victoria Reynolds (REG, Rwanda), Seline Okumu (KPA Women) – Captain, Christine Akinyi (Zetech), Mercy Wanyama (Siauliai, Lithuania), Margaret Nereah (Strathmore Swords), Rita Aluoch (Equity Hawks), Belinda Okoth (KPA Women), Vilma Owino (KPA Women)

Results  Fixtures:

* Kenya 78-56 Uganda

* Kenya 69-86 South Sudan

* Kenya vs. Burundi, February 5, 2025, at 16:30

* Kenya vs. Egypt, February 7, 2025, at 19:00