NAIROBI, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- Kenya has lined up two friendly matches against Cameroon and Uganda for its men's and women's basketball teams respectively as part of its preparations for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations and Africa Championship.
Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) said it will stage several friendly matches for its team ahead of the qualifiers for 2019 Africa Cup of Nations and the African Championships.
Cameroon are due in the country on Wednesday ahead of the friendly match on Saturday in Nairobi.
Nairobi will host the finals of the African Championships in March. This will also double up as part of the qualifier for the premier continental tourney, the Africa Cup of Nations tournament.
"We want the best for our team and we have asked the head coaches to recall the team to camp and start preparations for the Africa competitions," said Peter Orero, the KBF Treasurer on Monday in Nairobi.
Uganda, which will play Kenya on Nov. 30 in Nairobi and it will present two teams, the men's and women's sides. Orero said they hope the matches will boost Kenya's prospects of qualifying for Africa competitions.
Coach Cliff Owuor has been named to take charge of the men's team and will be assisted by Carey Odhiambo, while long term women's team tactician Ronnie Owino will continue in his role with the women's team assisted by Evelyne Kedogo.
"We are also keen to have the government come on board and help us fund the national team assignments," said Orero. "The teams are doing duty for the country and we need to accord them all the support."
Cameroon and Uganda each is targeting a slot in the Africa Nations Cup finals and will offer Kenya a run for its money.
"The coaches and players must take the two friendly matches seriously," Orero said.
