Friday

APR V REG 9PM

Title hopefuls APR and Rwanda Energy Group are set for a crunch basketball date Friday evening at Lycee de Kigali gymnasium in what promises to be the biggest game of the season so far.

Times Sport looks at three important things to note ahead of the game:

A star-studded rendezvous

Both teams have great players who can make a difference any time going into the game.

APR, for instance, will be relying on the services of the Wilson Nshobozwabyosenumukiza, Elie Kaje, Ntore Habimana – who are all playing their first season at the club.

The trio, who played the Basketball Africa League (BAL), possess experience with which they were able to deliver at bigger occasions than Friday’s game.

APR supporters and coach Cliff Owuor will be expecting them to step in when it matters most,

For REG, Cameroonian power forward Belleck Engelbert and Congolese center Pitchou Manga are among the players to watch out for with the former looking to impress new coach Dean Murray as he pushes to make into REG’s final BAL roster.

On an even stronger note, formidable American duo of guards Adonis Filer and Cleveland Thomas stand a chance of featuring for REG.

Both are currently in the country and have taken part in one of the training sessions of the team.

Murray has a point to prove before BAL

The APR game will be the American’s first test since he agreed to take over REG last week.

Murray is expected to put in effort to ensure that he gets off to a winning start before he gets into tougher assignments where he will lead the team to the BAL in March.

Is APR’s Cliff Owuor under pressure?

APR currently sit third on the league table League (RBL) after playing six games. With a target of being a very strong club, the current position they are in is one that they really hope to improve.

A defeat against Patriots last week may have sparked pressure on Owuor who has homework to do ahead of Friday’s clash.

The Kenyan will be expected to put up a serious battle that he must win to regain his faith and confidence from his employers who signed every player he wanted.