Patriots coach tips new players

FridayPatriots vs APR 6pm SaturdayEspoir vs Rusizi 11amUGB vs IPRC-South 1pm SundayUGB vs Rusizi 9amAPR vs IPRC-South 11am Patriots coach Henry Mwinuke has tipped his new signings to hit the ground running and help the national basketball league club challenge for silverware. The 2016 league champions and reigning play-off games winners, Patriots have signed two more players in recent weeks to strengthen the squad in the bid to wrestle back the league title from Rwanda Energy Group (REG) as well as go for the 2018 FIBA Africa Zone V Club Championships. The two new signings include; Kenyan Micheal Makiadi from 5-time Ugandan league champions Betway Power and Power Forward Junior Kasongo from DR Congo, helped Patriots hand REG their first loss of the season win a 75-60 victory last Friday. Kenyan forward Micheal Makiadi tries to make points shoot during their crash between Patriots and REG last Friday. / Sam Ngendahimana On his debut, Makiadi, who wears jersey number 15, scored 15 points for Patriots against REG, just two points less than the game’s top scorer and teammate, Steven Havugintwari. Speaking to Times Sport on Thursday, Mwinuke said,”Makiadi and Kasongo are players we have been following for some time, they’re players with proven capabilities and talent; they are both good addition to the team. They are already doing well and will improve with time.” “Our main target is to win the championship this season; the two new signings are aware of that and are ready to fight with us, their arrival is timely,” added the Tanzanian trainer. Patriots Power Forward Junior Kasongo from DR Congo tries to defend Kami Kabange during the match against REG. / Sam Ngendahimana Patriots, the 2017 Zone 5 finalists, will face former champions APR in a league game where victory will see them leapfrog REG at the top of the table. The game starts at 6pm, at Amahoro Indoor Stadium. Two games will be played on Saturday, where the 2015 champions Espoir will host struggling Rusizi at Amahoro Indoor Stadium, starting at 11am before United Generation Basketball (UGB) take on IPRC-South at 1pm. editorial@newtimes.co.rw

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Patriots coach tips new players