BKBNL: How Much Can Espoir BBC Achieve Without Kasasa Bobo In The Tournament Starting Matchday One Against Giants Patriots?
Following a decision made by the Ministry of Sports to allow sports to resume in Rwanda, the Basketball Federation FERWABA was one of the first federations to take the lead to rejuvenate activities. The Basketball League resumes today Sunday, 18th October 2020 with Patriots taking on Espoir BBC.
In a meeting held on Saturday, September 12, 2020, FERWABA determined that the league would be played in a tournament format. New rankings based on the average points gained per game played were made putting Patriots in 3rd place, having played 12 games and won 10. Espoir ranked 8th after playing nine games and won four.
Espoir BBC have no players added to the team rather they will feature in the competition without their favorites, Forward Kasasa Bobo, one of the best players from the regular season and Centre Kinzamba Ambolo Junior. On the other side, opponents, Patriots are preparing for the BAL tournament scheduled for November this year. They have beefed up the squad with additions like Kenneth Gasana, Darius Garret and Adonis Filet Jovon. Not all these players featured in the regular season.
What does the absence of Kasongo Kasasa Bobo mean for Espoir BBC?
Kasasa Bobo has the highest point total for Espoir and the league in general in the regular season.
Here are some key statistics in the 9 games he played for Espoir BBC in BKBNL this season:
-Field Goals Made: 81, First in the league
-Free throws made: 48, First in the league
-Most points: 222, Joint top scorer with Patriots’ Steven Hagumintwari
-2 Points made: 69, First in the league
Then he is the most fouled player with 8.1 average fouls on.
How Much Can Espoir BBC Achieve without an individual with such impressive stats?
In an interview with Ground Sports, Kirenga Daniel “Danny” the team manager of Espoir BBC, he also confirmed that the absence of a player like Bobo in these games is a challenge. However, Danny says that Espoir is ready to fight and progress to the semi-finals.
Danny said, “It is true that the absence of Bobo creates a gap, but the game of basketball is a game of togetherness, with 5 players on the court and 12 on the squad, missing one player will not cause a big impact on the team. Bobo was very successful but we have talented young players. Yes, they are not on the same level but they are capable, I think they will fill the gap and I trust them. So far, there is no problem with the squad.”
The team manager also mentioned that they tried to use the players that were available for the training and despite the short time accorded to prepare, his side will compete and he is quite optimistic.
Danny also remarked that practice games don’t compare to real matches, the correction will be made game after game.
Explaining why Bobo and Ambolo were not able to come back from the holidays, Danny said, “The players were at Kinshasa when we learned that we will play this tournament. Calling them to came and join us in that short time and the fact that they had not played for seven months so, we decided to use the players that were around but they will be back in the next season since they still have our contracts.”
Espoir is in Group B with APR BBC, Patriots and IPRC Huye. All of these teams had beaten Espoir in the Regular Season. This Basketball club is the most decorated Basketball team even if they have not won this league since 2015. Last season’s trophy was won by the Patriots.
