Kenya has named two professionals in their 19-man provisional team ahead of next month’s Zone 5 Fiba Africa qualifiers in Kigali.

Peter Kiganya who plays in South America and Cedric Osore who features for Weco are expected to boost the side that finished third in 2007.

National champions Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) Lions have produced four players while runners up, Co-operative Bank of Kenya weighed in with five among them Cliff Ochieng.

The tournament throws off February 23-1 March and so far, Kenya, hosts Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda have confirmed participation. However, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Somalia, Burundi and favourites Egypt are also expected to be part of the event.

Rwanda is hosting the qualifiers after successfully hosting the 2007 edition. The one-week event will be held in the newly refurbished Amahoro Indoor stadium.

Rwanda’s head coach Vaceslave Kavedzija has summoned 15 local based players and six foreign based players as he plots to guide the country to a second successive appearance at the Afro-basket competition, Africa’s top basketball competition.

In 2007, Rwanda finished second to Egypt thereby earning a maiden appearance in the Afro-basket competition which was hosted by Angola, Africa’s basketball giants.

Rwanda went on to finish 12th in the competition which Angola won for a record ninth time.

Ends