Rwanda Energy Group (REG) Basketball Club is chasing four key players to feature for it in the upcoming Basketball Africa League (BAL) 2022, Times Sport has learned. Having been crowned champions of the 2020/2021 local league, REG was awarded automatic qualification to the BAL 2022 courtesy of the fact that Rwanda will host part of the competition (specifically the semifinals and finals). The tournament tips off in March. Times Sport can report that REG is trying to bring on board US-based power-forward Axel Mpoyo, small forward Dieudonné Ndizeye, Spain-based forward Jean-Victor Mukama and shooting guard Kenny Gasana. In an exclusive interview with this newspaper, REG Club President Francis Murindabigwi, confirmed the development. “In preparation for the BAL tournament, we are in talks with various players, including four Rwandans,” he said. REG is expected to start training next week. About the players: Kenny Gasana Shooting guard Kenneth Gasana, 37, is arguably the most experienced Rwandan basketballer currently. He has previously featured for two local clubs: REG and Patriots, in addition to some foreign ones in North Africa. He is currently playing for Al-Bahrain, a Bahraini club which he signed for this week. He was a key element in Patriots’ spirited performances in BAL 2021, helping it to reach the semifinals. Jean-Victor Mukama He was a vital part of the Patriots team during their qualification journey for the BAL in 2020, and he can be remembered specifically in the game against Madagascar’s GNBC where he scored a game-high 18 points and made six rebounds, three assists and two steals. He currently plays for Club Melilla Baloncesto in Spain, and has previously featured for Hamilton Honey Badgers in Canada, and Aris Leeuwarden in the Netherlands. Dieudonné Ndizeye He currently plays for Patriots, but has previously featured for IPRC Kigali. Most recently, he had a stint with Cobra Sports, a South Sudanese team and helped them qualify for the BAL 2022 final tournament. Axel Mpoyo The 25-year-old has played for Apoel Basketball Club in Cyprus and KB Trepca in Kosovo. He is one of the players that featured for Rwanda in the Afrobasket tournament in September last year and put up good performances as the country made it to the quarterfinals.
