Winning start for Rwanda in Maputo

The national men’s U-18 basketball team kicked off their U-18 Afro-Basketball camapign in style after defeating hosts Mozambique 64-32 on Thursday evening.

Saturday, August 18, 2012

U-18 Afro-Basketball

Mozambique 34-62 RwandaSenegal 73-69     GaboroneCôte d’Ivoire 60-51 AngolaThe national men’s U-18 basketball team kicked off their U-18 Afro-Basketball camapign in style after defeating hosts Mozambique 64-32 on Thursday evening.Despite a hostile crowd that heckled the team, Nenad Amanovic’s team did not seem fazed as Captain Pascal Karekezi led brilliantly, scoring 13 points. Eric Ngenzi (12), Nestor Manzi and Olivier Shyaka were the other star performers for the team.Rwanda is in Group A alongside Mozambique, DR Congo, Mali, Ghana and Tunisia. Group B has champions Egypt, Morocco, Ivory Coast, Senegal, Gabon and Angola.By press time yesterday, Rwanda was in action against Tunisia and they take on Mali this evening in the third group match. The junior hoops team will play DR Congo on Monday before winding their group stage against Ghana on Tuesday.Rwanda qualified for the continental championship after defeating Kenya in Zone V qualifiers played in Kigali last month.U-18 Men’s teamErnest Nestor Manzi, Karekezi Rurangirwa Pascal, Rafiki Muhamed, Uwimana Sankara, Kubwimana Kazingufu Ali, Munyandamusta Niyomugabo Sunny, Mugiraneza Ruterana Fabrice, Ndoli Jean Paul, Shyaka Olivier, Niyonkuru Pascal, Ngenzi Eric, Charles Mbazumutima, Shema Erin.