At exactly 21:00 on Friday, 31 March 2023, a plane took off from OR Tambo International Airport with basketball wonderkid Angel Chisom Ouegbunam on board. It was a few hours after her tearful farewell party at the No3 Square Sport Grounds in Alexandra, Johannesburg, which included sports personalities and the community who wished Angel well as she headed to USA to participate in the Women National Basketball Association (WNBA) two-week camp.

This is one of a lifetime opportunity for Angel. Should she be selected at the camp, she will be funded to peruse her studies at one of the best colleges in the states.

For the past 10 years, she has been under the stewardship of coach Harry Nakeng, a City official at No3 Sport Grounds. 

Nakeng said: “After school, I coach children who come to the No3 Square Sport Grounds. I have been doing that for many years. Angel, fondly called Angie, has been with me as a player since 2015.

“I recruited her to the team because of her height. I had to take her step by step. Lots of drills, shootings, attacks and defences. She has grown to be the most valuable player (MVP) in basketball. She attended many local tournaments including the ones at Wits, University of Pretoria and Vaal University of Technology where on numerous occasions was recognised as an MVP. I am proud of her.”

Nakeng added that he was grateful to the City for giving him space to contribute to the community. 

“Seeing my players succeed in life is a gift that I do not take lightly. Some have grown up to be prominent figures in the community. It is of great joy to plant a seed, see it become a plant and produce fruits. It is such a great feeling and for that I thank my managers for allowing me to pursue my basketball coaching career,” says Nakeng

The talented Angel recently attended a camp in Cairo, Egypt. 

03/04/2023