Rwanda teams qualify for Basketball Championships

Rwanda’s men and women teams have all qualified to this year’s Fiba Africa Nations Championships which will be held in Libya and Madagascar respectively. Rwanda men’s team booked a place to the continental show piece after an impressive 81-67 win over rivals Kenya in the ongoing FIBA- Africa Zone V both men and women qualifiers yesterday at Amahoro indoor stadium. Romania-based Robert Thompson led on Rwanda’s scoreboard as he recorded the team’s highest 20 points while Mathew Miller added 19 points to earn the country’s second qualification to the continental show piece which will be held in Tripoli from August 5-25. However, the game was not an easy-go affair for Rwanda as they needed extra work to overcome the Kenyans who had put up a spirited fight as a win would have earned Kenya her maiden qualification to the African Championship. The second quarter ended with both sides tied on 36 points but the inclusion of Alvin Rutayisire and Kajeguhakwa Bunene added a fighting spirit to the game to win both the third and fourth quarters. In other matches, Burundi men’s team recorded their first win of the tournament as they overcame whipping boys Uganda 86-80. In the women category, Rwanda defied odds to defeat Kenya by a difference of four points after an entertaining 69-65 riot. Rwanda women have booked their first ticket to the African Championship which will be held in Madagascar in September. Uganda also overcame Burundi’s pressure to win by one point after uneasy 61-60. Meanwhile, Rwanda men’s team will wind up the regional qualifiers with a thrilling match that will pit them against defending champions Egypt battling for the top tournament’s accolade at 6pm. In the women’s section, Rwanda will play against Burundi as Kenya confronts Uganda in the other game. Egypt and Rwanda are the top two men’s sides in this tournament and will travel to Libya in August while Rwanda women’s team has won the sole ticket for the same tournament in Madagascar in September. In 2007, Rwanda earned participation to the African Championship after finishing second in the zonal championship which were also held in Kigali. Africa Zone V Qualifiers YesterdayWomenRwanda 69-65 KenyaUganda 61-60 Burundi MenBurundi 86-80 Uganda Rwanda 81-67 Kenya TodayWomenKenya v Uganda 2pmRwanda v Burundi 4pm Men Rwanda v Egypt 6pm Men RankingRwanda- 6 ptsEgypt- 6 ptsKenya- 5 ptsBurundi - 5 ptsUganda - 3 ptsWomen RankingRwanda- 10 ptsUganda- 8 ptsKenya- 6 ptsBurundi- 4 pts Ends