REIGNING BASKETBALL champions Espoir have now shifted their focus on the battle of retaining the league title after winning the local and regional trophies of the Gisembe Genocide Memorial tournaments. 

The Nyamirambo-based club won the local edition of the Gisembe Memorial tournament on June 6 after beating archrivals CSK 81-79. A week after, they edged out Burundi’s Muzinga to lift the international edition.

The two-time reigning champions Espoir who are still unbeaten for almost three seasons will face Kigali Basketball Club (KBC) on Saturday and United Generation Basketball (UGB) on Sunday. 

"As far as defending the league title unbeaten is concerned, we can’t rest until the work is done. After winning Gisembe memorial tournaments, our mind and focus is back on the league title defense,” said head coach Jean Bahufite. 

Bahufite’s Espoir return leg clash against CSK set for July 6 is one of the matches local basketball fans are anxiously waiting for.

Espoir currently tops the league standings with 28 points and two games in hand. APR are second with 27 points.