Basketball in Africa

Today
Group B
Morocco     vs  Rwanda               2:30pm
Burkina Faso   vs   Tunisia                  5:30pm
Group D
Congo   vs   Nigeria    7:30pm
Mali  vs  Cameroon   10pm
RWANDA take on North African rivals Morocco in their second Group B match of the Fiba Afrobasket Championships on Friday in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire.
Coach Moise Mutokambali’s side goes into today’s fixture with confidence after beating Burkina Faso 80-61 on Wednesday, while Morocco lost their first game to defending champions  Tunisia 56-52.
“It is good to go into the next game on the back of a resounding win. We are determined to try and win the game even as we know it will not be easy against a very good side,” Mutokambali said.
 “Morocco is tough, but I hope we will find a winning formula,” he added.
Lionnel Hakizimana and Aboubaker Barame, who were rested against Burkina Faso, could start in today’s game.
This will be the third time Rwanda meets Morocco in a Fiba Afrobasket Championship.
In 2007, Morocco beat Rwanda 74-68 before doing the same in 2009 with a 85-84 win.
In the opening game of the tournament, Rwanda edged Burkina Faso with an 80-61 win.
Kami Kabange was particularly impressive in the game.
The 6’8 forward scored 24 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, five of which came on the offensive end, as the world’s 67th-ranked team downed their FIBA Africa debutant opponents.
Kenneth Gasana and Cameroun Bradley also chipped in with a combined 41 points and 10 rebounds.
In the second group match, Tunisia snatched a 56-52 win against Morocco.
Makram Ben Romdhane, 24, scored 21 points, including the game-winner with just a second left on the clock.
Point guard Nizar Knioua was the only other Tunisian to score in double figures, hitting three of his five attempts from beyond the arc and adding six free throws for 15 points.

Still in Group B, defending champions Tunisia face debutants Burkina Faso in the evening.  In Group D, Congo Brazzaville take on Nigeria, while Mali face Cameroon in the other match.


Contact email: bonnie.mugabe[at]newtimes.co.rw