Rwanda play their second game Sunday when they take on Mozambique at 6pm.
Group A
Sunday
Egypt vs Cape Verde 3:30pm
Mozambique vs Rwanda 6pm
Friday
Rwanda 46-37 Egypt
Mozambique 61-32 Cape Verde
BELLA Murekatete contributed 13 points and 21 rebounds yesterday as she inspired Rwanda’s U18 ladies basketball team to a 46-37 victory over Egypt in their opening match at the ongoing 15th edition of FIBA U18 Women’s African Championships in Maputo, Mozambique.
In a closely contested game, debutants Rwanda stunned the 2016 silver medalists Egypt. US-based Murekatete posted 13 points, 21 rebounds, four steals, two assists and one block for Charles Mushumba’s side.
Egypt’s Maya Abdelfattah scored a game high 17 points.
Rwanda took the first quarter 16-7 before the Pharaohs slightly reduced the gap in the second quarter, which they took on 6-4 before the two teams settled for a 12-12 stalemate in third quarter. Rwanda claimed the final quarter 14-12 to get off to a promising start.
"We applied one on one defence, and made sure we imposed our game rather than adjusting to the opponent’s. This worked, and at the same time put Egypt in difficulty,” said Mushumba.
"We played hard and did our best in the first quarter, then maintained the pace. That is how we built our success,” he added.
Meanwhile, the hosts Mozambique dispatched debutants Cape Verde 61-32 in another Group A game to kick off their campaign with victory.
Rwanda play their second game on Sunday when they take on Mozambique at 6pm.
Regarded as the game of the group, Rwanda's clash against the hosts will be preceded by the match that pits Egypt and Cape Verde at 3:30pm. Both games will be played at Pavilhao Maxaquene Stadium.