Today Girls Rwanda vs Tanzania 2pm Tuesday Boys Rwanda 76-61 Uganda Girls Rwanda 69-36 Tanzania Rwanda U18 national basketball teams – boys and girls – have continued their unbeaten streak at the ongoing FIBA Africa Zone V Championship taking place at Uwanja wa Taifa indoor stadium in Dar-es-Salama, Tanzania. Tuesday, both teams won their respective games, stretching their winning run to three games in boys’ category and two in girls’ tourney at the biennial event, which also doubles as qualifiers for this year’s FIBA African Under-18 Championships finals. After defeating archrivals Uganda in their first game on Monday, the girl’s team, coached by Charles Mushumba, yet again thumped hosts Tanzania 69-36 on Tuesday in their second game. It was rather an easy win for Mushumba’s girls who held control of the game throughout the four quarters; 17-6, 12-11, 25-12 and 15-7 respectively. For the second game in a row, US-based Bella Murekatete was the star of the game as she contributed a game high 22 points, followed by Hope Butera who added 20 points. In the first game, Rwanda defeated Uganda 46-35 with Murekatete contributing the game’s high 18 points while Butera dropped 13 points. Today, the girls will be tussling it out with their counterparts of Tanzania – kick-off 2pm. This category is comprised of only three countries namely; Tanzania, Rwanda and Uganda, all playing in a two-legged round robin format. The best team after the matches will automatically be crowned champions. On the other hand, the boys’ team also recorded their third victory at the tournament, beating Uganda 76-61 to make it three victories out of three games played so far. Yves Murenzi’s side claimed the first three quarters 10-6, 23-20 and 29-14 while Uganda took the fourth quarter 21-14. Rwanda’s US-based Danny Nabil Rurangirwa was the game’s high scorer with 21 points while compatriot Emile Kazeneza added in 18 points. Following this game, Rwanda is guaranteed to finish top of the group and will now face the team that will finish bottom (fourth) in the semi-finals that will be confirmed today after the last group game pitting Uganda and Tanzania – starting at 4pm. The men’s category is comprised of four teams; hosts Tanzania, Rwanda, Uganda and Sudan. editorial@newtimes.co.rw
