TodayREG vs IPRC-Kigali - 7pm

Rwanda Energy Group (REG), led by star center Kami Kabange will host IPRC-Kigali on Friday evening at Amahoro Indoor Stadium looking for nothing but victory to revive their hopes of retaining the title.

IPRC- Kigali, who will be without their injured captain Jean de Dieu Tuyishime, are optimistic about pulling off yet another shock win against a top side after upsetting hopefuls and table leaders Patriots, early last month.

It is a must-win game for the defending champions REG, who have already lost two of the six games played so far and will be eyeing to improve their win ratio to 5:2 and finish the first round in the second place, one point adrift of Henry Mwinuke's Patriots who have the best win ratio, 6:1.

"We are at a point in the season where any mistake could cost us a lot in the title chase; Friday’s game against IPRC-Kigali is a must-win if we are to retain the league title. All the players are in high spirits and ready for the game," REG head coach Cyrille Kalima told Times Sport.

REG, then under the tutelage of Jean Bahufite, made their national basketball debut in 2016 and have gone to become one of the top teams in the country.  Last season, the club won three trophies including the pre-season tournament, the national league and Genocide Memorial tournament.

Albert Buhake's IPRC-Kigali, who have won three games and lost three, will go into the game seeking to finish the first round on a high as they plots for a top four finish and a slot in the play-offs.

Last season, IPRC-Kigali finished in the third place but lost to Patriots in of the play-off semi-finals before losing to Espoir in the bronze medal play-off.

Patriots top the league table with 13 points, one ahead of APR and IPRC-South are in third place with 11 points while REG complete the top four with 10 points but have played one game less and will jump to second victory this evening against IPRC-Kigali.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw