FridayAPR vs UGB 6pmREG vs Espoir 8pmSaturdayIPRC-South vs Patriots 11amSundayRusizi vs Patriots 9am

Rwanda national basketball league leaders, Rwanda Energy Group (REG) are eager to put up a strong performance as they bid for a crucial win against Espoir on Friday night at Amahoro Indoor Stadium.

The encounter pits the reigning champions against former winners, a game neither side cannot afford to lose for different reasons. REG are seeking to stay on top while their Nyamirambo-based opponents are fighting hard to finish in top four and qualify for the Playoffs.

REG will be keen to avoid a second consecutive loss after suffering a 75-60 defeat at hands of fellow title hopefuls Patriots a fortnight ago.

On the other hand, Espoir look to register two consecutive victories for the first time this season after thrashing Rusizi 95-52 last weekend.

While both sides have played five games, Cyrille Kalima’s REG have won four while Maxime Mwiseneza’s Espoir have only managed two victories. Should Espoir win, it will be their first victory against REG in any tournament for nearly two years.

Looking ahead to the game, Mwiseneza admitted that, "REG have the upper hand but we won’t feel intimidated or shy away from the challenge, we will go into the game to win. It is important that we win and boost our confidence.”

In a separate interview, Kalima said,” We are well prepared and ready for Friday’s game, the target is to win because the title race is very tight, we can’t afford another loss.”

The REG vs Espoir clash will be preceded by another game pitting the record 7-time champions APR against youthful United Generation Basketball Club (UGB), starting at 6pm, at the same venue.

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