Rwanda Basketball Federation on Tuesday, May 31, 2022, unveiled the national basketball squad for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 African Qualifiers Games. Olivier Shyaka, Elie Kaje, and Aristide Mugabe were dropped, with the squad featuring plenty of fresh faces.
Rwanda has announced a 21-man training camp roster for 2023 World Cup African Qualifiers Group B slated in Kigali from July 1st to July 3rd 2022.
Dr Cheikh Sarr’s Rwanda finished the first window of FIBA World Cup Qualifiers with a 0-3 record against Cameroon, Tunisia and South Sudan in Senegal. A record to improve should they want to progress in the next round since the three best-placed teams from a group will advance to the second round.
The experienced Aristide Mugabe, Elie Kaje, Kami Kabange, and Olivier Shyaka are not in the pre-selection squad called. However, Some of the best performers in the ongoing Rwanda Basketball League have been rewarded with a place in the squad, including 21-year-old Shooting Guard, Justin Uwitonze, young point guards, Jean De Dieu Umuhoza and Olivier Turatsinze.
The Orion Centre, Patrick Ngabonziza has been included in Rwanda’s 21-man preliminary squad. The 23-year-old is among new faces in the squad named by coach Cheikh Sarr. Ngabonziza becomes the first player from Rwanda D2 to be named to the senior national team.
USA and Canada based young players, Imad Ruhamyandekwe, Emile Galois Kazeneza, Cadeau De Dieu Furaha, Osborn Shema, Noah Bigirumwami, Brillant Brave Rutsindura have also been selected. Adelin Mugasa Ndashimye, who plies his trade in Poland, has been given a chance too.
The 21-man Pre-selection Roster:
Ntore Habimana (Patriots), Olivier Turatsinze (IPRC Kigali), Jean De Dieu Umuhoza (UGB), Wilson Nshobozwabyosenumukiza (REG BBC), Imad Ruhamyandekwe (Canada), Robenys William (Belgium), Kenneth Gasana (Bahrain), Bruno Nyamwasa (Patriots), Justin Uwitonze (IPRC Kigali), Steven Hagumintwari (Patriots), Adelin Mugasa Ndashimye (Poland), Dieudonné Ndizeye Ndayisaba (Patriots), Emile Galois Kazeneza (USA), Axel Mpoyo (REG BBC), Cadeau de Dieu Furaha (USA), Patrick Ngabonziza (Orion ), Kendall Gray (Tunisia), Osborn Shema (USA), Noah Bigirumwami (USA), Tresor Marius Ntwali (USA), and Brillant Brave Rutsindura (USA)
The players are expected to report in the camp on 6th June 2022
