Rwandas-Hoops-player-Kenny-Gasana-seen-against-Egyptian-player-in-Wednesdays-opening-game-of-the-FIBA-AFROCAN-2019-qualifiers-underway-in-Kampala-Uganda
Rwanda’s senior men bounced back from the opening day loss to Egypt to thrash Tanzania 97-43 on Thursday at the on-going FIBA Zone five Championships which is underway at MTN Arena Lugogo, Kampala, Uganda.
The men’s team managed by Vladimir Bosnijak lost to favourite champions Egypt 59-68 while their women counterparts lost to the Ugandan ladies 53-62 on the opening day held on Wednesday.
On Thursday, the ladies team managed by Mutokambali Moise suffered their loss to Kenya, losing 80-92. The Rwandan side managed to win only the last quarter by 27-15 points after losing the first three quarters in 16-17, 21-22 and 16-28.
Against Tanzania, the men’s team won all quarter convincingly registering 31-12, 20-07, 24-09 and 22-15 respectively. Dieudonne Ndayisaba Ndizeye scored 15 points and made five rebounds as well as two assists.
Friday is a rest day with action slated for Saturday where Rwanda will face Egypt in the women category at 12h00 local time while Rwanda will face Kenya in the men’s category on Sunday at 16h00 local time while Rwanda’s last group match against hosts Uganda will be played on Monday at 16h30 local time after Tanzania’s tie against Egypt which is due at 12h30 local time.
The five men’s teams are facing each other once to determine the overall top team while the women areplay a round robin before facing off in semis depending on how they finish after the one leg.
The winners, men and women, earn a ticket to Afrocan and AfroBasket respectively.
The FIBA AFROCAN will be held in Bamako, Mali from July 19-28, while the 2019 AfroBasket will be held in Senegal, August 9-18.
It should be noted that Rwanda in 2017, together with Guinea were awarded a wild card to play in AfroBasket after finishing second in Zone five held in Egypt then.
FIBA Zone V AFROCAN qualifiers 2019
Wednesday Results
Men
Egypt 68-59 Rwanda
Women
Uganda 62-53 Rwanda
Thursday Results
Men
Rwanda 97-43 Tanzania
Women
Rwanda 80-92 Kenya
Participating Teams
Men – Rwanda, Uganda, Egypt, Kenya, Tanzania
Women – Rwanda, Kenya, Uganda, Egypt
