Basketball in Africa

In the last game of group AGF beat KCBC 57 – 56 in Camp Kigali stadium.
Kigali City boys lead the first quarter 15-21 and shortly the second 15-14 points. AGF players won the 3rd quarter with 14 against 10 points of KCBC and the 4th with 17 points against 11 points of Kigali City players. AGF won the game on the buzzer with 3 points shoot and 1 free throw scored at 2 seconds of the game made by GISHOMA (57-56 points). The effort of MUSINGA (Emmanuel) MURENZI Yves to push Kigali City to the win was not enough compare to the determination and self confidence of BARAME (10) and MUHIRE Fiston (9) of AGF. Mr. Jean de Dieu, the coach of Kigali City was disappointed by the playing of his players after 2 years out of the country and the national basketball.

Semi finals


ESPOIR-AGF
AGF start with a lead in 1st quarter with 20 against 14 points of ESPOIR and ESPOIR players reduced the score in the second quarter with 21 points against 16 of AGF and 17 points against 16 points of AGF. ESPOIR won definitely the game in the last quarter with 30 points while AGF scored only 20points. The final score was 82points of ESPOIR versus 72 points of AGF. In this game, MUHIRE Bertrand of ESPOIR who fouled out at 3 minutes of the end of the game scored 23 points and John BAHUFITE 21 points (6 shoots scored at 3 points) while BARAME, MUHIRE Fiston, GISHOMA scored respectively 23, 17 and 12 points.

APR-KCBC
This game of the champion of last season (APR) and KCBC (3rd place) start at high speed and controlled with KCBC players shortly in 1st quarter (12-15 points) and better in the 2nd with 11-15 points. After the break, Mr. Cliff, the coach of from Kenya tried to better organize the Rwanda Defense team and reduced the points’ deference 20-17 and 26-24 points in 3rd and 4th quarters respectively. KCBC players controlled all the game but with more difficult at the end with a final score was 71 points against 69 points for APR. APR captain BADIBANGA (from DRC) scored 17 pts with 2 tree points, CHIAMANUKA (15 pts), KARIMU scored 14 pts with three 3pts while Bula (RUTABAYIRO Jean Claude) scored only 9 pts. The APR centre, Bunene was sick and didn’t participate in their defeat. At KCBC side, MUGUNGA Louis and BAHIGE Jacques scored 23 points and 21 points respectively for Kigali City Basketball Club.

Finals
UNR-APR (Ladies)
Ladies from National University won the tournament with a poor score of 39 against 31points of Rwanda Defense Forces ladies (APR).

KCBC-ESPOIR (Men)
After good semi finals presented by both teams, this final was waiting for many people. KCBC players started with a nice control of the game and gave a several 10-3 to ESPOIR before they made back into the game and finish the 1st quarter with 19 – 12 points, KCBC leading the score. In the 2nd quarter ESPOIR also gave a several 27-13 points to KCBC. Both teams shown fatigue during the first minutes of the 3rd quarter, but Kigali City players, more feat than ESPOIR players’ took this occasion and killed the game with 24 points against only 11 points scored by ESPOIR. They continued to manage their score and finished the 4th quarter with 15 points versus 13 pts. KCBC made difference at three points’ line with 12 shoots scored against 6 for ESPOIR. The final score was 71 points of KCBC against 63 pts of ESPOIR. For KCBC, MUGUNGA Louis 22 pts (5 three points), while NYIRISHEMA Richard and NIYIKORA Emmanuel (MUSINGA) scored 12 points each and UWINTONI Emmanuel (MANU) 11 pts (with 3 three points). At ESPOIR side, the discrete UWINEZA Valery score 11 pts (3 three points in the first half) tried to help his captain MUGENGA Leonce (L’HOMME) but their only effort was not enough versus the determination and group-playing of Kigali City player who presented a good and homogeny team at this beginning of season.

The Kigali City Basketball team is presented as a new coming in the leading group of Rwanda Basketball and a good example for the country as well as all players are Rwandan and many are still young.