Ariel Okall confident of helping KPA qualify for BAL Finals, reveals new club in Oman

By Tony Kipkorir

The Kenya national men’s basketball team star Ariel Okall is confident of helping KPA qualify for the elusive Basketball Africa League (BAL) final before returning to Oman.

The first round of the qualifiers are scheduled to run from Thursday, October 19 to Saturday, October 21, 2023 in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

KPA have been pooled in Group C alongside Ethiopia’s Sebeta City and Pazi of Tanzania with only one club expected to proceed to the next round. 

In an exclusive interview with SportPesa News, Okall expressed confidence that KPA will do wonders in the qualifiers in their quest of making the prestigious event.

“My focus now is to help KPA achieve that elusive dream. I love the team and I took time off to come and play with my brothers.

I know we will leave a mark this time round,” stated the Morans forward who recently helped Burundian side Dynamo BC reclaim the Viva Basketball League title.

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 Okal and his KPA teammates, have a daunting task ahead of them since the coastal-based club has never made it to the BAL final.

The Sammy Kiki-coached side have featured in the qualification tournament twice (2019 and 2022) and fallen short in the last 16. 

Okall is expected to team up with the likes of the national league Most Valuable Player (MVP) Eugene Adera, Job Byron, Frankline Omondi and Victor Odendo.

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After the BAL qualifiers, Okall will fly to Oman to start a new journey with Nizwa club.

The experienced player, who has previously featured for several clubs in the Arab nation including AlBashaer and Ahli Sidab, also disclosed that he is excited ahead of his first season with Nizwa.

“I'm moving to a new club in Oman called Nizwa. I haven’t featured for them but am no stranger to the affairs of Omani basketball. It will be fun,” he stated. 

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 The towering player comes from a family of sportspersons. His father, Elijah Koronga was part of the Harambee Stars squad which qualified for the 1992 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament.

Okal’s younger sister Felmas Koronga followed his footsteps and has made incredible achievements playing basketball in the United States with his other siblings also featuring in the sportsworld.