Hoops suffer double loss

As cyclists seek medal in 145km road race All Africa GamesYesterdayMenRwanda 63-71 NigeriaWomenRwanda 50-54 Kenya RWANDA basketball teams suffered disappointing losses in the on-going All Africa Games which is being staged in Maputo, Mozambique. After their 85-69 opening victory over Mali, Rwanda could not live to the dream of securing their second victory in the group stage and lost 63-71 against Nigeria. In the opener, Darius, Bradley Cameroon, Kabangu Kami, Kenneth Gasana and Hamza Ruhezamihigo were all in top form amassing 16, 15 14, 13 and 11 points respectively to send Kavedzija Vecceslav’s side on its maiden victory. In the women category, Rwanda also extended their poor run of results and failed to go past the quarter finals losing to neighbours Kenya 50-54 to end their medal dream. Rwanda women team which will be competing in the Afrobasket women championship in Mali next month will now play for the 7th-8th place finish against DR Congo tomorrow. The men’s basketball team is expected to play Algeria on Monday in their third game of the group stage action. In a related development, cyclists will take the road this morning for the 145km road race in 10th All-Africa Games. The cycling team that notched fifth place in the individual time trial has set sight on winning a medal today. The team’s captain Adrien Niyonshuti yaesterday, said that he is confident about staging a good performance as he bids for a medal at the Games. Team Rwanda includes Niyonshuti, Nicodem Habiyambere, Emmanuel Rudahunga, Gasore Hategeka, Uwamungu Innocent and Nathan Byukusenge. They will face a tough test against riders from Eritrea and South Africa who were impressive in the individual time trial race. As Rwanda finished fifth in the men’s individual time trial, South Africans Janse van Rensburg and Darren Lil won gold and silver medals, with times of 34 minutes 46.36 seconds and 35:27.34. The bronze went to Azzedine Lagab of Algeria, in a time of 36:14.08. Ends