The provisional national junior basketball team proved its critics wrong last Sunday after a radiant performance in the preliminary stage of the inaugural Nizeyimana and Shampiyona memorial tournament that was stage at Amahoro indoor courts.

After a close contest against the Zone V champions (APR) 87-81, the juniors defied the odds with two convincing wins against two senior league sides; Rwanda National University (UNR) and Kigali Institute of Education (KIE).

After disposing off UNR 57-38, the juniors who are being handled by the national senior basketball coach Kavedjiga Vaceslave also cruised to a 79-63 win over KIE to finish second at the preliminary stage.

According to Innocent Karuhije, the technical advisor of the local basketball governing body (Ferwaba), the two week tournament is part of the juniors’ continued preparations for the African Cup of Nations qualifiers due in May.

"On top of using the tournament to pay tribute to Nizeyimana and Shampiyona, some of the legends of Rwandan basketball, the juniors are also using the tournament as a build-up to the qualifiers," Karuhije said before adding, "Last Sunday’s performance shows that the boys are getting the right frame of mind for competitive games".

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