Rwanda lands wildcard for 2017 FIBA AfroBasket

Rwanda has been awarded a wildcard to compete at this year’s 29th edition of FIBA AfroBasket, which is scheduled for August 19-30 in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo.

Wednesday, April 19, 2017
Moise Mutokambali gives intructions to his players at half time during a game in the 2013 Afro-basket championships in Ivory Coast. File

Rwanda has been awarded a wildcard to compete at this year’s 29th edition of FIBA AfroBasket, which is scheduled for August 19-30 in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo.

Moize Mutokambalia’s team got the ticket along with Guinea by FIBA Africa's Executive Committee that sat on Tuesday in Abidjan, Ivory Coast.

The two teams complete the 16-team line-up for this summer's biennial tournament from the seven Zones that make FIBA Africa.

Rwanda had failed to seal automatic qualification after losing to Uganda in the semi-finals of Zone V Championship that took place in Egypt last month.

Hosts Egypt beat Uganda 95-72 to retain the title they had won in 2014 in Kampala but both qualified automatically to represent the Zone V.

Rwanda lost to Uganda for the second time in a row at this same stage. However, Mutokambali’s men went on to scoop a bronze medal after defeating Burundi 89-75.

Guinea and Rwanda join host hosts Republic of Congo, reigning champions Nigeria, along with Angola, Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Mali, Morocco, Mozambique, Senegal, Tunisia, Uganda and South Africa.

 The Draw for FIBA AfroBasket 2017 will take place later this month.

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