Rwanda national U-16 girls’ team entered residential camp to start preparations ahead of the forthcoming FIBA Africa Basketball Championship.

This year’s U-16 Women’s Africa Basketball Championship is scheduled for July 12-24 in Antananarivo, Madagascar. Debutants Rwanda will leave the country for the two-week tournament on July 8.

According to head coach Charles Mushumba, the youngsters may not perform so well since they qualified without passing through zonal qualifiers.

Mushumba said on Thursday, "We started residential training yesterday (Wednesday) at Amahoro (indoor) stadium and we’re residing at Hotel La Palisse, Nyandungu.”

"However, it would be unrealistic to say we are going to return home with the title especially since we will only be making our debut in the tournament. Nonetheless, we will do everything to represent the country in the best way possible,” he stated.

Mushumba, who also doubles as the head coach of the UR- College of Arts and Social Sciences (UR- CASS) women’s team, singled out hosts Madagascar, Mali and Ivory Coast as top contenders.

Meanwhile, the boys’ team will enter boot camp on Monday ahead of the U-16 Men’s Afrobasket championships slated for July 30- August 8 in Mali.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw