APR BBC stars Ntore Habimana and Axel Mpoyo have broken their silence over decision by Rwanda Basketball Federation (FERWABA) to suspend them for one year for failure to play for the national team, describing the sanctions as the result of a huge misunderstanding. FERWABA suspended the two players on June 22 from all basketball activities for one year for allegedly failing to honour a national team call-up for the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup African Qualifiers, which kicked off in Luanda, Angola, on Thursday, July 2, despite APR confirming their availability. The sanction followed resolutions adopted during the federation's November 2025 General Assembly requiring every player selected for national duty to honour official call-ups or face disciplinary action. The resolutions came after both players missed the November 2025 qualifying window in Tunisia, with Habimana citing personal reasons and Mpoyo sidelined by injury. ALSO READ: Basketball: Players snubbing national team face one-year suspension Speaking publicly for the first time since the suspension, the pair said they were stunned because they had already reported to the national team camp when the federation sanctioned them. I didn't refuse, and I didn't say no. I'm just here to say it's not just, it's not fair. We never declined anything from the national team, Habimana said. An hour before they sent the sanction, we were at practice, talking to the coach and the staff. We were present, so being surprised is really an understatement. According to the players, they informed the coaching and medical staff upon arrival that they could not immediately join full training because they were recovering from injuries sustained during the BAL season. Medical reports seen by Times Sport indicate that Habimana was nursing a minor foot injury while Mpoyo was recovering from a back problem. Their club doctor recommended three days of rest before returning to full training. I spoke with the team doctor about my foot injury. Everybody knew my situation and nobody suggested we were at risk of being suspended, Habimana said. Our club informed the federation that we would be there, and we were. I even had a positive conversation with the head coach during practice. Mpoyo said APR had notified FERWABA that he and Ntore would report on Saturday after the camp opened on Friday. Because of our injuries, we couldn't train immediately, but we did report. That same day we received suspension letters, Mpoyo said. It was a crazy moment because it came immediately after one of the greatest moments of my career, winning the 2026 BAL title. I think there was a misunderstanding. Maybe they believed our injuries weren't genuine. The players said they immediately wrote to FERWABA seeking clarification before the suspension was made public, but never received a response. Axel and I sent a well-worded email explaining that this was a misunderstanding and reaffirming our commitment to the national team, Habimana said. After representing Rwanda for more than five years and just winning the BAL, I thought there would at least be a conversation. Instead, they went straight to suspending us. Mpoyo said they continued reporting to camp until June 23 before being denied access to the training venue. We realised they no longer wanted us to participate. 'I can't apologise' Habimana maintains he followed every required procedure and therefore has nothing to apologise for. If I do something wrong, I'll admit it and apologise. But in this situation, there's no guilt, so I can't apologise, he said. Mpoyo believes the matter can still be resolved through dialogue. I'm not asking anyone to take my side or the federation's side. I'm simply presenting what happened. We'll appeal because we want to understand the basis of this sanction. I think a simple conversation would help everyone understand each other's position. The suspension has also denied both players the opportunity to represent Rwanda in Angola. It hurts because representing Rwanda is a privilege, Mpoyo said. My patriotism should not be questioned over something I didn't do. I never refused to play for the national team. APR questions federation's handling APR Secretary General Eric Kalisa Salongo believes the dispute could have been avoided through better communication. We failed to understand the rush, Kalisa said, arguing that FERWABA ignored written medical reports submitted by the club. The players reported to camp with medical reports, but those weren't considered. They were assumed to have refused without proper verification. Kalisa also questioned why the federation communicated directly with the players when the November 2025 General Assembly resolved that clubs should handle national team call-ups. The federation itself breached the agreed procedures by contacting the players directly, he said. APR submitted two letters to FERWABA—one appealing the suspension and another apologising on behalf of the players for communicating directly with the federation rather than through the club—but both reportedly went unanswered. We chose humility. According to the resolutions, the players shouldn't have communicated directly with the federation. On that point, they made a mistake, Kalisa said. FERWABA has scheduled a meeting with APR on July 8 to discuss the matter. Because of this misunderstanding, they lost the opportunity to represent their country. We hope the federation will revisit its position. If the suspension stands, Habimana and Mpoyo will miss the upcoming Rwanda Basketball League playoffs. APR head coach James Maye Jr described the absence of two of his key players as a major blow. Missing two key players is a huge detriment—not only to APR but to the country as well. Hopefully the issue can be resolved amicably. 'We're not playing for money' The players also addressed reports that discussions over compensation influenced the dispute. Mpoyo confirmed that financial compensation was discussed with FERWABA but insisted it was never a condition for representing Rwanda. It was a discussion, not a refusal, ultimatum or demand. They made an offer, but the conversation never continued, he said. Habimana added that he simply made a counter-offer after receiving the federation's proposal. They gave me an offer; I gave them a counter-offer. Both players stressed that representing Rwanda has never been about money. We're professional basketball players, so compensation naturally comes up in discussions, Mpoyo said. But it's never the main factor. Habimana echoed the sentiment. We're playing for the badge and for our country. But that doesn't mean players shouldn't be compensated for their time and effort. With a meeting between APR and FERWABA scheduled for July 8, both Habimana and Mpoyo say they remain hopeful that dialogue will clear what they insist was a misunderstanding and pave the way for their return to the court.
