Basketball team coach eyes friendly against Egypt

National basketball team coach Moise Mutokambali wants his team to play an international friendly game against Zone V champions Egypt before the forthcoming Afro-basketball championships scheduled for August 20-31 August in the Ivorian capital Abidjan. The former basketball player told Sunday Sport that the federation has contacted their Egyptian counterparts to see if there is a possibility for the game to be arranged and played in Abidjan before the continental event starts. “We have talked to them but we have not yet received the response but it’s important that we test ourselves against one of Africa’s top team (Egypt) before the tournament starts,” he said. The four professional players namely Hamza Ruhezamihigo, Blandly Cameroon, Dan Rukamba and Thierry Sukusuku are training with team as the others have been away playing in Zone V tournament with Espoir in Bujumbura, Burundi. According to Mutokamabali, Keneth Gasana, who based in United States, is expected to arrive in Kigali on August 12. Rwanda has competed in Afro-basketball three times, 2007 in Angola, 2009 in Libya and 2011 in Madagascar. Rwanda is drawn in Group B alongside defending champions Tunisia, Morocco and debutants Burkina Faso. The national team starts its bid against Burkina Faso on August 21, take on Morocco on 23 before facing Tunisia on 25 August.