CAN presDRC V RwandaGame OneRwanda 66-67 DRCGame TwoRwanda 66-60 DRCGame threeRwanda 55-45 DRC BY KIM KAMASA Rwanda restored some confidence ahead of the upcoming African Cup of Nations basketball championships after a 2-1 game series’ win over visiting D.R Congo.The three-game international friendly series were played Friday, Saturday and Sunday at Amahoro indoor stadium.The games were organized as part of both team’s preparation for the forthcoming Nations Cup championship scheduled for August 15-26 in the Angolan capital Luanda.The Democratic Republic of Congo won Game One by just a single point margin 67-66, however, Rwanda came back fighting and won the Game two and three 66-60 and 55-45 respectively.With defeat staring right into their eyes in the third and final of the series, the Congolese substitute players invaded the court on grounds that there was unfair refereeing.And it needed the intervention of officials including Youth, Culture and Sports ministry Secretary General Jean Pierre Karabaranga to calm the situation. Rwanda and DRC are the only countries in the region to participate in this year’s continental championship.D.R Congo is ranked 8th in Africa on FIBA rankings while Rwanda does not appear anywhere on the latest rankings.Making their debut, Rwanda is pooled in Group A, which also includes the reigning champions, hosts and pre-tournament favorites Angola as well as Morocco and Cape Verde.
