Yesterday

MenEspoir (Rwa) 62 – 58 USIU (Ken)

WomenDon Bosco (Tz) 65 –51 APR (Rwa)

FIBA-Africa Zone V men’s defending championships Espoir extended their winning streak yesterday by beating Kenyan league champions United States International University (USIU) to storm the semi-finals of this year’s championships in the Burundian capital Bujumbura.

It was the second successive win for the in-form Rwandan league champions, who remain unbeaten since the start of last season following their 60-41 opening day victory against home side Urunani BBC on Monday.

Former APR forward Lionel Hakizimana scored the most points for Espoir with a game high 16 points, last year’s Most Valuable Player Aristide Mugabe and US-based Patrice Twagirayezu each added eight points, while Olivier Shyaka contributed seven points.

In the last four, Espoir will meet another Burundian side New Stars on Friday. New Stars lost to Uganda’s Warriors in the first game before beating Vjana of Tanzania on Tuesday. In the other semi-final, Urunani will take on Warriors.

However, while Espoir continue to live to their billing as the pre-tournament favourites, Rwanda’s representatives in the women’s category APR, saw their hopes of reaching the later stages of the competition shattered after losing 51-65 against Tanzanian side Don Bosco on Wednesday.

It follows their opening day defeat 50-35 to home side Les Gazelles on Monday.