Rwanda’s impressive showing reaps fruits

Africa nations Championship Qualifiers YesterdayWomenRwanda 103-35 BurundiKenya 67-45 Uganda MenRwanda 41-71 Egypt Men RankingEgypt- 8 ptsRwanda- 6 ptsKenya- 5 ptsBurundi - 5 ptsUganda - 3 pts Women RankingRwanda- 12 ptsKenya- 8 ptsUganda- 8 ptsBurundi- 4 pts The FIBA-Africa Zone V basketball qualifiers for the continental nations’ events came to conclusion last evening with Rwanda’s men and ladies’ teams qualifying. The ladies’ team recorded an impressive 103-35 win over Burundi in their last game to collect maximum points while the men’s team’ winning streak was halted at the final hurdle when they lost 41-71 to tournament’s favorites Egypt. USA based Honore Ayebare led scored for Rwanda’s ladies with 36 points to keep the team’s unbeaten record interact. The game was an easy affair for Rwandans as they faced very little challenge from Burundian Fiona Sifa who threaten to spoil the host’s party. Mireille Karangwa added 22 points while Letiticia Mahoro scored 12 points for Rwanda. Sifa who was Burundi’s best player failed to add on her 10 points after she was shown the exit two minutes to the end for accumulated fouls. In the other match played, Kenya finished in the ladies’ category after defeating Uganda 67-45. Rwanda’s Ayebare was voted the Most Valuable Player of the tournament in the category. Egypt retains Zone V title Defending champions Egypt defeated Rwanda 71-41 to win the Fiba Men’s Africa Nations Championship qualifiers title. Boa Waer top scored 16 points for the 2007 champions to ensure his country’s return to the Africa nations Championship which will be held in Libya from August 5-25 in April. Said Haytham also scored 16 points for Egypt whereas Tamer Mohammed added 8 points respectively. Rwanda’s best scorer was Robert Thompson who netted 12 points while Alvin Rutayisire scored 11 and Hamza Ruhezamihigo got four points to his name. Rwanda finished second in the men’s category and will accompany Egypt to this year’s Afro-basket championship. Thompson was the tournament’s top rebounder and best free thrower in the men’s category. Also in the men’s category, Egypt’s Haytham bagged the Most Valuable Player of the tournament; best two points’ shooter; best three points’ shooter and top scorer honours in the tournament respectively. Rwanda’s men and women teams all qualified to this year’s Fiba Africa Nations Championships which will be held in Libya and Madagascar respectively. Rwanda men’s team booked a place to the continental show piece after an impressive 81-67 win over rivals Kenya in the ongoing FIBA- Africa Zone V both men and women qualifiers on Saturday. Rwanda women have booked their first ticket to the African Championship which will be held in Madagascar in September. Egypt and Rwanda were the top two men’s sides in this tournament and will travel to Libya in August while Rwanda women’s team has won the sole ticket for the same tournament in Madagascar in September. In 2007, Rwanda earned participation to the African Championship after finishing second to Egypt in the zonal championship which were also held in Kigali. Ends

Lifestyle

Rwanda’s impressive showing reaps fruits