Rwanda storm FIBA Africa Zone V semi-finals

Thursday Classification 5-8Kenya vs Somalia 5pmFriday semi-finalsUganda vs Rwanda 7pmEgypt vs Burundi 9:15pm Wednesday Group ARwanda 90-80 S. SudanEgypt 86-47 KenyaGroup BUganda 99-54 Burundi Kenny Gasana dropped the game high 33 points to guide Rwanda to the semi-finals (File) Rwanda international basketballer, Kenneth (Kenny) Gasana, stole the show yesterday as the national team trounced South Sudan in a highly competitive Group A of the ongoing FIBA-Africa Zone V championships in Cairo, Egypt. The win earned the national hoops the ticket to advance to the semi-finals of the competition. The highly-experienced shooting guard was at the forefront of Moise Mutokambali’s side, scoring 33 points as Rwanda saw off a resurgent S. Sudan on 90-80 points.Gasana who features for Moroccan side L’Ittihad Riadhi de Tanger played 38 minutes and 30 seconds out of the 40 minutes of the entire game, making eight rebounds and seven assists. This was far better than the opponent’s key player, Chier Mathiang Ater Chier, who dropped 22 points, made three rebounds and three assists. Rwanda began the game on the high and it was the first time they ended the first quarter with a commanding lead of 22-9, which turned out to be a decisive quarter. The South Sudanese fought their way back in the second quarter and took it slimly 23-22 before both sides sharing points in the third quarter 21-21 and the last fourth quarter was claimed by South Sudan 27-26 which ultimately saw Rwanda progressing on a total score of 90-80. Bradley Cameron and Kami Kabange also contributed 17 points each while Aristide Mugabe dropped 16 points. This implies that Rwanda, who finished second in Group A behind hosts Egypt, will face Uganda in the semi-finals on Friday after they progressed as Group A leaders following a 99-54 win against Burundi. Burundi, who were first runners-up in their group will take on Egypt. Rwanda’s encounter with Uganda gives a chance for a revenge after the two sides met at this stage in the 2015 edition in which the latter knocked out Rwanda and earned qualification for the continental showdown, the FIBA AfroBasket. The winner in the game will also earn a ticket to Brazzaville for AfroBasket 2017 finals.

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Rwanda storm FIBA Africa Zone V semi-finals