Rwanda national U-16 girls’ team departed for Antananarivo, Madagascar yesterday to compete in this year’s FIBA Afro-basket tournament which is scheduled for July 10-19.

Charles Mushumba’s team has been in residential training camp for the past seven days as they prepare to make a memorable debut in the continental championships.

However, by press time, the identity and number of teams that will compete in this year’s tournament had not yet been confirmed.

"We have had good preparations and I hope we can impress on our debut in this tournament,” Mushumba told Times Sport before the team’s departure.

The team will be captained by Phionah Ishimwe. The girls’ team qualified for the Afro-basket tourney without playing the Zone V qualifiers after the other member countries failed to send teams.

The national team lost the last warm-up game against league side The Hoops Rwanda 46-31.

The 12 players:

Phionah Umutoniwase, Chance Uwase Mpogazi, Emerance Muhoza, Bella Murekatete, Natacha O’Nderata Shimwa, Marthe Twisungimana, Chantal Utamuliza, Phionah Cynthia Ishimwe, Noella Uwase, Clementine Uwimana, Nadine Umurungi and Denyse Mwiseneza.

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