Kenya Morans Star Okal Stuck In Algeria

Kenya Morans’ power forward Ariel Okal is among thousands of athletes who are caught up in the one of Africa’s largest coronavirus lockdown in Algeria.

Okal, who joined Algerian outfit Union Sportive Setifienne (USS) in January, is staying at home after the government imposed a curfew with limited movements during the day.

Lack of flights in and out of the country has also hampered his ability to re-join his family in Nairobi after basketball in the North African country was suspended.

“My family back home – especially my mother – are worried about me and my sister, who plays basketball in the US,” Okal said in an interview with BBC Sport Africa.

[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””] “I have to stay safe for my mum. We have a daily health check-in to our family WhatsApp group. Even slight headaches have to be disclosed.”   [/perfectpullquote]

Okal is the second Kenyan to play in North Africa with Tom ‘Bush’ Wamukota now plying his trade in Tunisia.

However, he is worried about his stay at the USS as the initial six-month contract with the side will run out in June.

“It’s scary to think I might have played my last game at the beginning of my last match,” he added.

“I hope that the club and myself will reach an amicable solution. I still have unfinished business here.”

Okal was initially set to join USS last year but had to stay back to help his former side Kenya Ports Authority in the inaugural edition of the Basketball Africa League where they reached the second round.

The Kenya Morans star has previously played out of the country, spending three seasons in Oman and in Seychelles as well.