BAL 2024: APR “ready for the challenge” vs AS Douanes-Trakh
Tuesday, May 07, 2024
APR BBC's Obadiah Noel with the ball against US Monastir player during the game. Courtesy

Tuesday, May 7

APR Vs AS Douanes (9pm)

APR Basketball Club coach Mazen Trakh has said that his men have put Rivers Hoopers defeat behind and are already focused on bouncing back in their Sahara Conference third game against Senegal’s AS Douanes on Tuesday night, May 7, at 9PM (Kigali Time), at the Dakar Arena.

APR tasted their first Basketball Africa League (BAL) defeat on Sunday, May 5, when they lost 82-86 at the hands of the Hoopers but Trakh insists his men won’t back down as they look to respond quickly with a win over next opponents AS Douanes.

"We must win game three to boost our hopes and increase the chances of progressing to the quarter finals. Players are fit and ready for the challenge,” Trakh said.

"We are focused on AS Douanes for now," he added.

APR Basketball Club coach Mazen Trakh.

With a 1-1 record in their last two outings, the Rwandan champions lie third in the Sahara Conference where unbeaten Rivers Hoopers find themselves at the top of the table followed by home side AS Douanes.

All the teams in the Sahara Conference will play each other twice, with the top two teams joining Morocco’s FUS Rabat, Angola’s Petro de Luanda, South Africa’s Cape Town Tigers, Egypt’s Al Ahly and Libya’s Al Ahly Ly in the BAL Playoffs and Finals in Kigali, Rwanda later this month.

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The last playoff spot will be decided between Central African Republic’s Bangui SC and the team which will end up third in the Sahara Conference.