Today

Group B

Uganda vs Mali 7pm

Rwanda vs Nigeria 9:30pm

Friday 

Rwanda 82-72 Mali

Nigeria 109-66 Uganda

KENNETH Gasana was on the spotlight yesterday as the national basketball team beat Mali, 82-72, at the ongoing second round of the 2019 FIBA World Cup – African Qualifiers.

Rwanda, under the guidance of new Serbian head coach Vladimir Bosnjak, defeated the West African state with a 10-point margin in their Group B opening match. Sensational shooting guard Gasana contributed a game high 23 points.

Rwanda made a perfect start to the game, effortlessly claiming the first quarter 25-14 before both sides settled for a 19-all stalemate in the second quarter, hence Rwanda’s 44-33 lead at half-time.

The two sides played a relatively slow and defensive game in the third quarter, especially engineered by Bosnjak’s boys who wanted to hold onto the lead.

The quarter ended 14-12 – in favor of Rwanda.

The Malians tried to recover from a 13-point third-quarter deficit to dominate the fourth quarter, but, could only afford a 27-24 narrow margin against a well-organized Rwandan side who are now one victory away – either against Nigeria today or Uganda on Sunday – to advance to the third round of African qualifiers for the world’s biggest basketball tournament.

Besides the dazzling 23 points, Gasana also made the most steals in the game, four, while compatriot Darrius Garret also recorded the game’s most rebounds (11) and four assists.

Meanwhile, in the other Group B game on Friday, reigning African champions Nigeria overpowered Ugandan 109-66.

Today, Rwanda face hosts Nigeria tonight at 9:30pm CAT in what is expected to be a tough test for Rwanda. The clash against the D'Tigers of Nigeria will be preceded by another highly awaited encounter between Mali and Uganda – starting at 7pm.

During Window 1 qualifiers, staged in Mali earlier this year, Rwanda lost 53-103 to Nigeria.