Friday

UGB            Vs    APR       18:00

Espoir         Vs    REG        22:00

Rwanda Energy Group (REG) will be keen to avoid any slip-up in the second round of the 2018-19 Bank of Kigali National Basketball League when they face Espoir Friday night at Amahoro Stadium, starting at 8pm.

Espoir, who stunned champions Patriots last month, have not won against REG since January 2018 when they, courtesy of a career high 35 points from young point guard Armel Sangwe, humiliated them 100-77.

The 2017 champions, REG, top the table with 21 points from eleven games, one ahead of second-placed Patriots, while Maxime Mwiseneza’s Espoir are third with 17 points.

In an interview with Times Sport on Thursday, REG head coach Patrick Ngwijuruvugo cautioned his players against complacency in the title chase, and noted that every player on his team was ready to face ‘one of the best teams’ in the league.

"We are facing one of the best teams in the league, I have spoken with my players and they all understand why this game [against Espoir] is very crucial. We can’t afford to be complacent,” said the Burundian coach.

In a separate interview, his Espoir counterpart Mwiseneza said that his side looked forward to the game, insisting that he had respect for the great team that REG is, but ‘everything is possible’ and their opponent’s status won’t intimidate his players.

The highly anticipated game will be preceded by another league encounter between United Generation for Basketball (UGB) and APR. Kick-off 6pm, same venue.

editor@newtimesrwanda.com