Basketball in Africa

By Richard Bishumba
RWANDA NATIONAL women basketball team is targeting qualification for the 2015 Africa Basketball Championships, (Afro-basket) to be held in Cameroun.
The women team that started training last week is aiming at finishing first runner-up in the forthcoming Fiba/Africa Zone five championships in September in Kampala, Uganda to qualify for the continental meet.
The zonal championships also serve as 2015 All Africa Games and Afro-basket qualifiers are scheduled for September 21-28.
The team's head coach, Jacques Bahige in an interview with Times Sport on Wednesday said he was confident his team will earn a ticket for the continental meet for its third time following appearances in 2009 and 2011.
"I'm confident my girls can win Zone V title to qualify for both All Africa Games and Afro-basket, we have started preps early and I'm sure it will help us prepare well for the regional competition," Bahige says.
He singled out Egypt as the biggest threat to his team's Zone V title aspirations.
Rwandan women team made their maiden participation in Afro-basket in 2009 finishing ninth, while in 2011 they dropped one place to tenth.
The team did not feature in qualifiers for 2013 edition.
Provisional squad:
Chantal Akamuntu, Jovithe Kabarere, Joselyne Munyaneza, Charlotte Umugwaneza, Vanessa Umwizerwa, Denise Uwase, Cecile Nzaramba, Yvette Uwizeye, Christine Uwibambe, Gisele Umutoni, Rosine Micomyiza, Jeanne Yamfashije, Priscilla Dodoo, Claudette Imanishimwe, Clementine Ushizimpumu, Clementine Matungano, Esperance Mukaneza, Alice Muhongerwa, Claudette Mugwaneza, Martine Umuhoza and Nicole Rwibutso.
Professionals: Henderson Tierra Monay (Angola), Ange Kamanyana (USA), Sabine Mugeni (France), Yvonne Kirezi K. (Drc), Laetitia Mahoro (USA) and Nancy Ishimwe (USA).