Monday

Group A

Rwanda vs Kenya 2:45pm

Group B

Uganda vs Somalia 5pm

Tuesday

Group B

Somalia vs Burundi 12:30pm

Group A

S. Sudan vs Kenya 7pmEgypt vs Rwanda 9:15pm

Rwanda take on neighbours Kenya in their opening game of this year’s FIBA-Africa Zone V Championships in Cairo, Egypt. The biennial regional event started on Sunday and will run until March 18.

This year’s edition has attracted a total of seven countries in the men’s category while four countries will compete in the women’s category that comprises hosts Egypt, Uganda, Kenya and Somalia.

The seven countries were drawn in two groups. Rwanda is in Group A along with reigning champions Egypt, South Sudan and Kenya, while Group B has Uganda, Somalia and Burundi B.

Rwanda is aiming to qualify for this year’s FIBA Afro-Basket finals slated for August 17-31 in Congo Brazzaville and coach Moise Mutokambali knows his team will have to dig deep to progress from the group.

Their first test comes this afternoon as they lock horns with Kenya, a game that Rwanda need to win before coming up against the pre-tournament favourites and hosts Egypt on Tuesday.

 "We are going to take one game at a time and from what we have seen, every team has improved since the previous edition and we are going to use all options we have to get the best results,” said Mutokambali.

In another game today, last year’s hosts and beaten finalists Uganda will open their campaign against Somalia in a Group B, at 5pm. The two finalists will qualify for the FIBA Afro-basketball Championships.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw