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Mali vs Rwanda 9pm

Rwanda's U-16 boys’ national team head coach Albert Buhake has warned that Mali will be the team to beat at the FIBA Africa U-16 boys’ basketball championship set to get underway today through to August 8 in Bamako, Mali.

Buhake, who doubles as head coach of league side IPRC- Kigali, expressed the fright to Times Sport in a telephone interview from Mali yesterday.

Rwanda was drawn in Group A along Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Algeria, Nigeria and Mali.

Group B is comprised of Angola, Central African Republic, Ethiopia, Morocco, Tunisia and South AfricaWhen asked about which sides to fear most at the tournament, he noted, "Mali is one of the favourites. They also seem older and more gigantic compared to our youngsters. Of course, holders Angola and 2013 finalists Egypt are more likely to pose a threat.”

However, Buhake added that Rwanda is determined to finish in the top four. We are looking forward to making our debut in the competition and the top four finish is our target,” Buhake said.

The team left Kigali on Sunday to debut in the biannual competition. Since their arrival in the West African country, the team has been training on a regular basis. On Monday, they played a warm-up game against hosts Mali and lost 88-34 with forward Enock Kiza sustaining a slight ankle injury.

Rwanda qualified for the tournament after ousting Ethiopia in the FIBA Africa Zone V qualifiers held in Kigali on a 121-119 aggregate score over two games.

Rwanda squad

Sano Gasana, Samuel Niyonshuti, Emile Galois Kaneza, Patrick Nshizirungu, Kenny Rubaduka, Gabriel Ange Ntigurirwa, Davis Bagire, Arnaud Nkusi, Enock Kisa Kyeyune, Jesse Nkusi Ntihemuka, Gavin Mucyo, David Hirwa Muvunyi.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw