Rwanda’s national basketball team head coach Cheikh Sarr has commended the forthcoming FIBA World Cup qualifiers as an opportunity for Rwanda to play against top teams.
In a draw that took place on Thursday, April 25, Rwanda --who will host one of the two Pre-Qualifiers between August 19 and 25, - landed a tough Group D that also consists of Great Britain, Argentina, and Lebanon.
Basketball: Rwanda drawn in Group D in World Cup pre-qualifiers
"We are facing formidable opponents in our group. These are teams we haven't tested our skills against before. It is an exciting challenge; one we are ready to embrace as an opportunity for growth and development,” Sarr said in an interview.
"While we may be unfamiliar with their playing style, we approach each game with a spirit of resilience," the Senegalese coach added.
Rwanda is coming off its most successful FIBA Women’s AfroBasket outing in 2023 where the team finished fourth. Nigeria were at the time crowned champions after beating Senegal in the final in Kigali.
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"We are excited. This is a historic moment for Rwanda and Africa. It is a significant move in growing Africa women’s basketball as it showcases the continent's growing prominence and passion for the game," he commented on Rwanda’s opportunity to host the World Cup pre-qualifiers.
The tactician will heavily rely on the foreign-based Rwandese legion that was instrumental in the side making history in the Women’s AfroBasket by reaching their first-ever semi-final.
Top of that list is trio of Janai Crooms Robertson and Destiney Promise Philoxy, who emerged as true leaders during the Women’s Afrobasket as well as 22-year-old Sifa Ineza who was the hero Rwanda needed to get through past Uganda in the continental competition for their first Semis appearance.
Other players that Sarr anticipates to add to Rwanda’s depth in the all-important competition is US-based Rwanda international Bella Murekatete who recently starred in the 2024 Women's College All-Star Game played on April 6.
The star center, who plies her trade at Washington State Cougars women's basketball helped Team Liberman to a 95-88 win over Team Miller with her team-high 7 rebounds along with 2 points and 2 steals on her All-Star game debut.
Also expected to make the squad is Hope Butera of Idaho Vandals women's basketball team center in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I.
Rwanda will host Groups C and D of the pre-qualifiers while Groups A and B will play in Mexico City, Mexico.
The top two teams from each group will qualify for the Semi-Finals of each tournament. The two winners of each tournament will qualify for the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup Qualifying Tournaments that will involve 24 teams.
The Pre-Qualifying Tournaments are an important part of the expansion of the women's competition system where the aim is to grant a larger number of National Federations meaningful and regular international competition.
A total of 16 nations, including hosts Germany, will punch their tickets through the Qualifying Tournaments in 2026 and compete at the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2026.