Friday: Women

U18 National Team vs The Hoops 6pm

Men

Espoir vs APR 8pm

Thursday

Patriots 69-62 APR

Espoir 58-65 REG

Women

Ubumwe 45-53 The Hoops

After both teams suffering defeats on Thursday evening, Espoir and APR will lock horns on Friday night in the ongoing Heroes basketball tournament at Amahoro Indoor Stadium—the game starts at 8pm.

The two former league champions will be seeking to avoid a second consecutive loss in as many days. Espoir lost 58-65 to reigning league champions Rwanda Energy Group (REG) while APR were beaten by Patriots, 69-62.

Espoir’s will be led by Pascal Niyonkuru, Armel Sangwe, Gallois Emile Kazeneza, Regis Gatoto and Philippe Kubanatubane while APR will be spearheaded Ally Ruzigande, Brian Mbanze, Emmanuel Iyamuremye, Jean de Dieu Ntagunduka and Frank Dushimiyimana.

On Thursday, Ally Ruzigande scored posted 19 points and 7 rebounds for APR but it was Patriots’ Dieudonne Ndizeye who stole the show with a double-double, 19 points and 11 and rebounds.

Pascal Niyonkuru scored 20 points against REG but former Espoir skipper Olivier Shyaka scored a game high 21 points and a contribution of 10 rebounds against his former side.

In women’s competition, last year’s finalists The Hoops Rwanda defeated holders Ubumwe 53-45 on Thursday and will return to action today playing against the Under-18 national team, starting at 6pm.

The 2018 edition of the annual Heroes Day Tournament started on January 27 and will run through to February 4. IPRC- Kigali (men) and Ubumwe (women) are the defending champions.

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