BEATING hosts at any tournament is no cheap feat. So Rwanda’s national team deserves a pat on the shoulder after Tuesday’s win over Madagascar- the hosts of the 21st Fiba Africa Championships for Women (Afrobasket women 2009).

The first-timers came off 64-57 winners in a warm up game played at Antananarivo’s indoor stadium.

As expected, with the home crowd support, Madagascar started off strongly taking the first quarter 16 – 14.

But Rwanda fought back with a 27-06 second quarter win to end the first half with a 19-point lead.

Madagascar claimed the third and fourth quarters (25-19 & 10-8) but the damage was already done.

The result should have left a huge smile on Rwanda’s head coach Veceskav Kavedzija who is under pressure to at least help the country reach the quarter finals.

Rwanda are drawn in Group B alongside defending champions Mali, two-time African champions Nigeria, Angola, Tunisia and Guinea.

The championship which doubles as a qualifier for next year’s Fiba World Championship in Czech Republic runs from October 09 to 18.

Ends