Debutants Ubumwe women’s basketball club are keen to put up a strong fight as they seek to win their first title at the upcoming FIBA Africa Zone Five Club Championship slated for October 4-11 in Kigali.

The 2014 regular league champions started preparations for the regional championships two weeks ago and the team trains four times a week at KIST court and Amahoro indoor stadium.

In an interview with Times Sport, Ubumwe head coach Jacques Bahige said his target is the title and believes his players can become champions.

"We are targeting the title which is why we started preparations earlier and I’m confident in my players. As hosts, the least we can settle for is reaching the semi-finals,” tactician Bahige told this paper.

The three-year-old Ubumwe side enjoyed their maiden season in the national women’s basketball league finishing second before dethroning APR to win the 2014 title and consequently qualifying for this year’s zone five championships.

APR will also represent the country at the week-long regional tourney while 2012 winners Espoir and Cercle Sportif de Kigali (CSK) will be the two representatives in the men’s category.

Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) and United States International University (USIU) also from Kenya are the reigning champions in men and women’s category respectively.