With Wednesday night’s impressive 58-38 win over Argentina at the BK Arena, Rwanda secured a ticket to the semi-finals of the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup pre-qualifiers.
It was also the country’s second win at the major tournament that is taking place in Africa for the first time. This means that the team claimed the top of Group D.
But if Wednesday night’s performance is anything to go by, Rwandan women were able to shock the basketball world.
Argentina is ranked 31st best team globally, but Cheikh Sarr's team kept them under 40 points in a World Cup qualifying game. This is the first time in eight years.
On the contrary, this is Rwanda's first-ever appearance at a world-stage event and —sitting 74th in the FIBA World Rankings —the lowest among all eight teams tussling it out in Kigali.
For Sarr, it’s the old underdog story, the kind of David vs Goliath.
"What makes us (Rwanda) a tough opponent is the team that we have,” Sarr told Times Sport after their first 80-72 win against Lebanon on Monday, August 20.
"They believe, they are hard workers, they have mental toughness, they are fighters, that's what makes us tough to beat,” he said alluding to the young team, "All credit goes to the players, you saw how they put pressure on the opponents and played full court press the whole forty minutes. It takes courage and that is all we have.”
Sarr believes that the current FIBA rankings do not make Rwanda’s campaign improbable and unfathomable, citing the results of the previous two wins.
And he shares similar sentiments with Rwanda’s international center, Bella Murekatete who recorded her second double-double in Wednesday’s victory.
"It is a game of runs, and it is basketball. Sometimes it doesn't work and sometimes it does. We just have to be patient and let the game come to us. We have really good guards and smart players like Keisha (Hampton) who can tell this young team to calm down and execute the game plan.”
Time to arm up
The victory has been felt, but according to Rwanda team captain Destiny Philoxy, the time is now to arm up.
"We have to play better defense to get to offense, and that’s what we are emphasizing on this entire tournament. Our offense will find its spots eventually, but defense we have to be there for each other and have each other’s backs. Being there for our teammates, picking up each other when one of us is down. While we are a team, our goal is also becoming a family.”
Rwanda’s next stop is against Great Britain. It could also end the group stages as the only undefeated team in the group.
Whether it’s a full-court press, zone, or man, suffocating defense will be at the center of Rwanda’s game plan because it will be tough for the "underdog”.