FridayEspoir vs APR 7pmPatriots vs REG 9pm

SaturdayIPRC-Kigali vs CSK 3pm

WomenThe Hoops Rwanda vs APR 1pm

SundayUGB vs Rusizi 9pmIPRC-South vs REG 12pm

THE most eagerly awaited game in Rwanda basketball league pitting reigning champions Patriots and top title contenders Rwanda Energy Group (REG) is on today evening.

With Patriots leading the league table, two points ahead of REG, there will be no love lost when the two rivals lock horns at Amahoro Indoor Stadium, starting at 8:30pm.

Both sides have lost just once this season although REG have played a game less and a win for either team would increase their chances of winning the title.

Henry Mwinuka’s Patriots are bidding for their second straight league title while Bahufite is looking to lead REG, which was formed this season, to their first competitive trophy.

Patriots and REG have met three-times already this season, with title holders Patriots winning twice while Bahifite’s side managed to win one and will be hoping to even the scores.

The two rivals first met in the final of the 2016 Pre-season tournament with Patriots narrowly prevailing 76-75 before comfortably winning the second encounter during the league first round 71-57.

However, the newly-formed REG, led by former Patriots captain and point guard, Ali Kazingufu Kubwimana, pulled one win back in the final of this year’s Heroes’ Day tournament, 68-39.

Bahufite, who won four consecutive league and playoff titles with Espoir, is confident about REG’s chances of not only winning Friday night game but the league altogether.

"It’s going to be a tough game, probably the toughest in the season but I think we have about 95% chances of winning, they have defeated us twice but that was because we were just a new team trying to build our game and consistency,” Bahufite told Times Sport on Thursday.

Bahufite will rely on his two center players Kami Kabange and Bievenue Ngandu, who have been the game changers this season plus their point guard Kubwimana and small forward Patrick Nshizirungu.

On the other hand, Mwinuka has noted that; "We are ready for the game. We’ve tried to work on our concentration levels and discipline because in the past games we lost the ball easily and also gave away too many fouls.”

The Kagugu-based side will be relying on their point guard Aristide Mugabe, center player Junior Ambol and shooting guard Lionel Hakizimana.

A win by REG will be a big boost before they take on IPRC-South on Sunday and if they manage to get another two points from Huye, they will go two points clear at the top of the table, with six games left in regular season.

Meanwhile, that game will be preceded by a showdown between former champions Espoir and APR, which starts at 6pm. Espoir are third with 21 points while APR are fifth with 17 points.

The league will continue on Saturday with fourth-placed IPRC-Kigali taking on bottom side Cercle Sportif de Kigali at Amahoro Indoor Stadium, while United Generation Basketball Club (UGB) will lock horns with Rusizi on Sunday at the same venue.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw