Sunday, February 23

Rwanda 81-71 Gabon

Rwanda secured their ticket to AfroBasket 2025 after beating Gabon 81-71 in Rabat on Sunday to finish Group C qualifiers in third place.

Gabon, sitting last in the group, needed to defeat Rwanda by at least 28 points to secure qualification at Rwanda's expense, but the task proved to be too hard for them.

Forward Axel Mpoyo led the way for Cheikh Sarr’s side with 30 points, and shooting guard Ntore Habimana added 18 points, as the team finished with a 2-4 record in Group C.

Former NBA player Chris Silva was key for Gabon as he recorded his third consecutive double-double (13 points, 16 rebounds), while Daniel Quentin Akoue scored a team-high 18 points. The pair’s contribution was, however, not enough to land what would have been their first qualification in a decade.

This will be Rwanda's seventh appearance at the continental showpiece since 2007.

William Robeyns, who turned 29 on the same day, said it felt "special to be part of a moment like this, qualifying for AfroBasket again."

And Silva, who played his first three games with the Gabon national team, expressed confidence in the team's future.

"We have some talent. It is a young group of players. We will continue to work."

The 2025 AfroBasket will be held in Angola from August 12-24.