THE local basketball governing body (Ferwaba) was left crestfallen yesterday after learning that two of eight foreign based players who have been summoned to the national team ahead of the upcoming Africa-Zone 5 basketball championship qualifiers have picked up injuries.

Jonas Kayitankora and Thierry Kayitaba who play their basketball in Canada recently sustained injuries and have ruled themselves out of the competition.

"We have learnt that they have picked up injuries and will not make the trip to Kigali,” Ferwaba’s Secretary General Jean Lucien Mugabo disappointedly said.

However, Mugabo’s frown face did not last after learning that Hamza Ruhezamihigo (Canada) and Robert Stanley Thomson (Romania) (pic), two of Rwanda’s most outstanding players in the 2007 Afro-basket qualifiers had confirmed their presence.

"It is good news that Hamza and Thomson are coming. It is a big boost to the team,” he continued.

Other summoned foreign based players include Eric Kaijuka and Wilfred Nyandwi from USA, Manix Aurianthal (Canada) and Mathieu Miller (Europe).

Already, a 16-man provisional team comprising of local-based players is undergoing daily training sessions at Amahoro indoor stadium under the guidance of Kavedzija Veceslav.

Rwanda is desperate to repeat their 2007 heroics when they finished second to Egypt in the qualifiers thereby earning a ticket to the Afro-basket competition which was staged in Angola.

It was the first time for an East African country to compete in the tournament which is considered to be the most lucrative and celebrated basketball tournament on the African continent.

The qualifiers, to be staged at Kigali’s newly refurbished Amahoro indoor stadium are expected to attract Egypt, Kenya, Ethiopia, Burundi, Uganda and Tanzania among others.

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