Basketball: Rwanda U18 girls take on Cape Verde in a must-win game

Tuesday Group A Rwanda Vs Cape Verde 3:45pm Mozambique Vs Egypt 6pm Following Sunday’s disappointing loss to hosts Mozambique in their second game, the national U18 girls basketball team take on Cape Verde in a must-win final Group A game today as they seek to storm the semi-finals of the ongoing FIBA U18 Women’s African Championship. The game will be hosted at Pavilhao Maxaquene Stadium. Rwanda fell short of a second win against Mozambique on Sunday after the hosts defeated Charles Mushumba’s debutants 53-46 to top Group A. Rwanda, who had stunned title favourites Egypt in their opening game, went into their second game seeking to increase their chances to reach last four berth, but came short. Rwanda trailed the hosts 1-13 at the end of the first quarter before Bella Murekatete-inspired comeback brought the score to 19-17 at half time, in favour of the visitors. Mushumba’s ladies took a step further in the commanding position with a 18-10 third quarter win to go into the final quarter with a 37-27 lead. However, a combination of complacence and lack of concentration saw Mozambique dominate the fourth quarter to effortlessly take it by 26-9 to seal a 53-46 victory. Earlier in the day, Egypt had an easy run against Cape Verde as the Junior Pharaohs eased to a 56-31 victory to shake off Rwanda’s defeat in the opening game. Should Mozambique beat Egypt in the final group game today, victory for Rwanda, by any margin, over struggling Cape Verde will be enough to take them to the semi-finals on their first attempt. Ahead of today’s final group round, Mozambique top Group A standings with four points, Rwanda and Egypt are second and third, respectively, with three points each, while winless Cape Verde are the bottom with two points. editorial@newtimes.co.rw

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Basketball: Rwanda U18 girls take on Cape Verde in a must-win game