Rwanda men’s senior team is expected to be part of the basketball tournament organised by the Mozambique basketball federation to mark the country’s 38th independence anniversary. The four-nation tourney is scheduled for June 24-27 in Maputo.
Participant teamsMozambiqueSouth AfricaAngolaRwandaRwanda men’s senior team is expected to be part of the basketball tournament organised by the Mozambique basketball federation to mark the country’s 38th independence anniversary. The four-nation tourney is scheduled for June 24-27 in Maputo.Apart from Rwanda national team which is playing the tournament for the first time, other invitees include the ten-time African champions Angola, Republic South Africa as well the organisers and hosts Mozambique.Rwanda basketball federation’s Secretary General, Richard Mutabazi says the tournament is very beneficial to Rwanda team. "This is a good chance for our team to train hard and get used to international games.”"Two months after the tournament, we have African basketball championship to be held in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire. So, from Mozambique we will come back and correct the mistakes that will have been found out,” the official told this paper on Friday.He added, "The hosts are taking care of our accommodations and meals, what we are dealing with is to get air tickets and a small budget to sustain the team in case of any emergency.”Leaving aside Rwanda, giants Angola and hosts Mozambique also qualified to be part of this year’s 27th African basketball championships scheduled for August 20-31 in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire.Rwanda national basketball team’s head coach, Moise Mutokambali in a separate interview said, "We have been training for the last three weeks. Everything is sorted out as we go for the tournament in Mozambique. we hope to learn a lot from there.”The majority of the players are from the local clubs, apart from US based youngster Patrice Twagirayezu (North Carolina College), who is expected to join the team later this month."Now, it is a great opportunity to play Angola and Mozambique before Afrobasket championship and we learn something from them,” noted Mutokambali.This year’s African basketball championship kicks off on August 20 in Abidjan. Rwanda will open with Burkina Faso on August 21. Morocco and holders Tunisia complete group B.