Some thought that Rwanda Energy Group (REG) Women were going to have a blank basketball season after losing the domestic championship to APR WBBC.

Of course, they were disappointed to be dethroned after two seasons of dominance...but they held their head high, defied the odds and firmly went on to secure a ticket to represent the country at the forthcoming 2023 FIBA Africa Women's Basketball League (AWBL) that will unfold in Egypt from December 11-19.

Esperance Mukaneza’s side qualified for the recently-rebranded continental competition after reaching the final of the Zone 5 championship which took place in Kigali despite losing it to eventual champions Kenya Ports Authority (KPA).

The trip to North Africa will be the team’s first-ever biggest outing and they want to make it a memorable appearance, one to forget for their opponents.

ALSO READ: WNBA star Nia Clouden agrees to short-term deal with REG Women

Trades of players none wishes to face

REG's recent acquisitions of American point guard Nia Clouden and combo guard Tiffany Mitchell, two WNBA top players who ply their trade at Los Angeles Sparks and Minnesota Lynx of the WNBA, have confirmed how ambitious and hungry the club is for the glory at the big stage despite making its maiden appearance at the competition.

The two-time Rwandan champions are dreaming big and they believe they can make a name for themselves on the continent. With the American duo, only a few, or not team, wishes to face REG.

ALSO READ: REG coach eyes podium finish at Africa Women&039;s Basketball League

Until REG burst into the basketball scene in 2021, it was APR, who for many years, remained a dominant force in the East Africa country.

REG won the national title in their league debut year before retaining the championship the following year.

But this season, they were upstaged by their nemesis APR who brought them on their knees to win the championship after beating them 4-1 in the finals.

REG has gradually climbed the ladder as they shaped up as a big force to reckon with both in Rwanda and in the region. Their focus now turns to instilling fear into the spine of every opponent.

The first time the team represent Rwanda was in 2022 when they missed the bronze medal, after losing 42-39 to APR in a closely contested sibling rivalry played at the Benjamin Mkapa Indoor in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

While they stayed at home, APR boarded a plane to Maputo, Mozambique for the 2022 FIBA Africa Champions Cup Women, courtesy of a FIBA Africa wild card. Unfortunately, nothing went right as they lost all their six games, finishing eighth in a nine-team tournament.

From that Dar es Salaam assignment, REG have put in efforts that paid remarkable dividends. This will be their time to fly the Rwandan flag at a much bigger competition which brings together Africa’s top cream.

Their reward came in a FIBA Africa Zone 5 event where they suffered a humiliating 87-53 loss at the hands of seasoned campaigners KPA at their own back yard.

ALSO READ: REG, KPA qualify for FIBA Africa Champions Cup

All eyes on AWBL

From result against KPA, notwithstanding, there is little doubt that REG learnt their lessons and are ready for the task ahead. The preparations are ongoing and they remain upbeat about their chances in the tough task that lies ahead.

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REG are in the process of strengthening the roster in various positions as they shape up for the showdown in Egypt. Their main concern is at the point guard. The rest of the positions are well covered.

And with days left until the big date, the process is already on as the technical bench is out shopping quality players to reinforce the existing squad to be able to compete against Africa’s top clubs.

On their radar are two or three quality signings as the tournament nears.

There are five REG players who featured in Rwandan team that missed the bronze medal when they fell 89-52 to Mali in the 2023 FIBA Women's AfroBasket also hosted by Kigali.

They include shooting guard Rosine Micomyiza, point guard Faustine Mwizerwa, shooting guard Kiyobe Chantal, forward Sandrine Mushikiwabo and center Nadine Rutagengwa.

Micomyiza led all scorers with 24 points against KPA, Congolese Betty Kalanga also had impressive statistics throughout the tournament except in the finals where she posted only eight points and hauled seven boards.

REG, who pride themselves as fighters, will go to the AWBL championship with an ambition to show the rest of Africa what they are capable of achieving at a grand competition of AWBL’s caliber.

ALSO READ: FIBA Women's AfroBasket: Nigeria’s Rena Wakama a symbol of empowerment

Watching Nigerian head coach Rena Wakama become the first woman to guide D'Tigress to a Women's AfroBasket title in Kigali was much of an inspiration for Mukaneza to also reach to the skies with REG.