After landing a wildcard to compete at this year’s 29th edition of FIBA AfroBasket, which is scheduled for August 19-30 in Luanda, Angola, the national team head coach Moise Mutokambali has revealed that he is optimistic that Rwanda will defy the odds and deliver an outstanding performance at the biennial event.

Rwanda got the ticket along with Guinea from FIBA Africa’s Executive Committee that sat on Tuesday, last week in Abidjan, Ivory Coast.

The two teams completed the 15-team line-up for this summer’s biennial tournament from the seven Zones that make FIBA Africa.

Republic of Congo which was supposed to be the 16th country as the host nation recently withdrew from hosting the event citing logistical issues hence FIBA Africa board gave the hosting rights to Angola and now an additional country will be invited to replace them.

Rwanda had failed to seal automatic qualification after losing to Uganda in the semi-finals of Zone V Championship that took place in Egypt last month.

"First of all, I am delighted we got this ticket because it is based on merit and I think despite the disappointing performance in the Zone V championship, we really deserved to be there,” said Mutokambali in an interview with Times Sport on Wednesday.

 Hosts Egypt beat Uganda 95-72 to retain the title they had won in 2014 in Kampala, but both qualified automatically to represent the Zone V.

The 15 countries that have qualified include, reigning champions Nigeria, Tunisia and Morocco from Zone 1, Senegal and Mali from Zone 2, Ivory Coast representing Zone 3, Cameroon and DR Congo from Zone 4, Egypt and Uganda from Zone 5 and Angola, Mozambique and South Africa from Zone 6&7 plus Rwanda and Guinea on wild cards.

"In Egypt, we lost to both Uganda and Egypt basically because of some technical errors, but we were always a team with the best game. I hope we are going to prepare for AfroBasket rigorously and as early as possible, I believe we shall have a successful campaign,” he added

The Draw for FIBA AfroBasket 2017 will take place later this month.

Meanwhile, the 16 teams have also qualified to compete in FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Qualifiers slated to start in November this year and will be played over two legs on a home and away format.

Only five teams from Africa will qualify for the World Cup slated to take place in China from August 31 to September 15, and the event will qualify  7 teams directly for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, with the remaining 4 + host (Central Board decision) to be determined through 4 Olympic Qualifying Tournaments in 2020.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw