Thursday, May 9

APR Vs US Monastir 6pm

Rivers Hoopers Vs AS Douanes 9pm

APR basketball club coach Mazen Trakh has issued a frank verdict on the first round of the Sahara Conference before his side embarks on the second round which resumes in Dakar, Senegal, on Thursday, May 9.

APR finished the first round in the second place, just behind Conference leaders Rivers Hoopoers who are the only unbeaten team so far.

The Rwandan champions have a 2-1-win ratio from their last three matches from which they won twice against bottom-placed US Monastir and home side AS Douanes. Their only defeat was against Nigeria’s Hoopers.

ALSO READ: BAL 2024: Noel leads charge as APR silence AS Douanes

Trakh described his side’s most recent game against AS Douanes as a ‘very hard’ one despite prevailing with a slim 66-61 win on Tuesday, May 7.

"Both teams were fighting from the first minute to the last minute. I'm very happy with the way we played. We played in front of a very loud crowd. Our players stood strong, and We were able to win. This was a good win for Rwanda and for APR,” the American coach said.

Rivers Hoopers were only team to beat APR and Trakh insists he can’t wait for a replay but he urged his men to remained focused on Thursday’s game against US Monastir.

"Rivers Hoopers again. So I'm looking forward to Thursday and us being ready to play,” he said.

ALSO READ: Noel steals the show as APR win overtime thriller against US Monastir

The second round of the Sahara Conference starts on Thursday, with Rivers Hoopers facing hosts AS Douanes while US Monastir will take on APR at 6PM Kigali Time. Both games will take place at the Dakar Arena.

Commenting on Thursday’s game against Monastir, the American warned his men against complacency and get ready to cope with any threat that the Tunisians can pose.

"Now, we’ve got to get ready for US Monastir again and start the second round positively.”

ALSO READ: BAL 2024: APR "ready for the challenge” vs AS Douanes-Trakh

"They've lost three games but we cannot take them lightly. They're a very talented team. And we have to be ready to play. There's a lot of stink in that game...if we can win that game, that will assure a lot of things for us and give us a chance for the next game to play,” he said