Sunday

Rwanda 82-78 Local Players

SaturdayRwanda 81-53 Local Players

RWANDA BASKETBALL head coach Moise Mutokambali has named 12 players for the FIBA World Cup qualifiers scheduled to start on February 23 in Bamako, Mali.

Mutokambali kept experienced names like Aristide Mugabe, Olivier Shyaka, Kami Kabange, Kenneth Gasana and Hamza Ruhezamihigo while Sedar Sagamba, Parfait Ishimwe and Steven Hagumintwari were dropped.

Rwanda is placed in Group B alongside former African champions Nigeria, host Mali and neighbours Uganda. Mutokambali’s side will face Mali in the opening game on February 23 before taking on Nigeria on February 24. The final game will be against Uganda on February 25.

The African Qualifiers consist of 12 tournaments played across six windows. The First Round will see four groups of four teams each face one another over two legs.

The top three teams from each group will advance to the Second Round, where the 12 qualified teams are divided into two groups (E and F) of 6 teams each. The team was expected depart for Mali on Tuesday tonight.

Meanwhile, seniors beat a select side of local players (82-78) in a warm-up match on Sunday at Amahoro Indoor Stadium in Remera.

The 12 Players include:

Aristide Mugabe (Patriot) Ali Kubwimana Kazingufu (REG), Chris Walter Nkurunziza (REG), Dieudonne Ndayisaba Ndizeye (Patriots) Pascal Niyonkuru (Espoir), Elie Kaje (REG), Kami Kabange (REG), Hamza Ruhezamihigo (Concordia, Canada), Bienvenu Niyonsaba (IPRC-South), Olivier Shyaka (REG), Jean Paul Ndolo (IPRC-Kigali), Kenneth Gasana (Morocco).

editorial@newtimes.co.rw