South Africa join Rwanda in Madagascar

Zone 5 ANC 09 Qualifiers (Women) Final rankingRwanda 12 ptsKenya 9 ptsUganda 9 ptsBurundi 6 pts South Africa will be one of Rwanda’s challengers for the Women Africa Nations Championship crown in Madagascar later this year. South Africa booked their slot in the coveted championship after seeing off Zimbabwe in the finals of the Zone 6 qualifiers in Harare. Competing in a best of three games final, South Africa registered back to back wins to secure the sole slot up for grabs in the biannual event. In game one, South Africa pulled off a close 45-44 victory before also having to work hard for a 49-48 victory in game two. Rwanda dislodged Kenya as the region’s female basketball queens when they beat them twice in the Zone 5 qualifiers that were staged in Kigali last month thanks in part to Honore Ayebare, the tournament’s Most Valuable Player (MVP), who played a big role in pushing the country to her first ever Afrobasket competition. Rwanda registered 61-52 and 69-65 victories over the Kenyans to seal off their qualification. However, eight days down the road, the Kenyan still can’t believe that they were ousted by their Rwandan counterparts. According to the Fiba-Africa’s website, the country is still struggling to cope up with the shocking reality that they will not travel to Madagascar. Meanwhile, Mali, Senegal, Angola and Mozambique are automatic entries in Madagascar after finishing inside the top four in the 2007 Africa Nations Championship edition. Mali also remains the team to beat. The West Africans were convincing winners in 2007 following their final’s 63-56 victory over hosts Senegal. Ends

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South Africa join Rwanda in Madagascar