Rwanda names a preselection squad to head into training for the FIBA Afrobasket 2021 Qualifiers.
Rwanda Basketball Federation with the National team coaching staff led by head coach Vladimir Bosnjak, 1st assistant coach Henry Mwinuka and 2nd assistant coach Aime Karim Nkusi summoned a 19 man squad to start the preparations for the competition.
In 19 preselected players for the National senior team, only 3 players did not play the BKBNL closing tournament thus they are foreign-based players. Some of the names that were expected but did not make it are USA based players Osborn Shema, Dan Manzi and Sano Gasana in Canada.
The big surprise was a young NGOGA Elias (2.08 m), 19 yrs old, Center who studies in the USA. He represented Rwanda in the U-16 and U-18. He has been handed the first call in senior National team along with his young generation mate, Justin Uwitonze who currently plays for RP-IPRC Kigali. Other players who were handed their first call include Bugingo Kabare Hubert, Jean Victor Mukama, Adonis Jovon Filer and Marius Tresor Ntwari.
The training will start on Thursday, November 5th and the final squad will be released on November 24
PRESELECTED PLAYERS:
Hubert Kabare Bugingo (IPRC Huye), Habineza Shafi (Patriots), Steven Hagumintwari (Patriots), Kenneth Herbert Gasana (Patriots), Adonis Jovo Filer (Patriots), Kami Kabange (REG), Elie Kaje (REG), Prince Muhizi ( UGB), Jean Victor Mukama (Aris Leeuwarden), Dieudonne Ndizeye Ndayisaba (Patriots), Elias Ngoga (Blinn Junior College), Pascal Niyonkuru (APR) Bienvenu Niyonsaba (APR), Jean Jacques Nshobozwabyosenumukiza (REG), Tresor Marius Ntwari (APR), Sedar Sagamba( Patriots), Dylan Scommer Kalecyezi (Fribourg Olympic), Olivier Shyaka (REG) and Justin Uwitonze (IPRC Kigali)
The host Rwanda are pitted in Group D together with strong contenders, Nigeria, Mali and Algeria. Rwanda will undertake Mali in their contention opener on the night of Thursday, November 26th, 2020, 20:00 local time.
Group D Fixtures:
Thursday, November 26th: Nigeria Vs Algeria 11:00 (Local Time)
Thursday, November 26th: Mali Vs Rwanda 20:00 (Local Time)
Saturday, November 28th: Algeria Vs Mali 17:00 (Local Time)
Saturday, November 28th: Nigeria Vs Rwanda 20:00 (Local Time)
Sunday, November 29th: Nigeria Vs Mali 17:00 (Local Time)
Sunday, November 29th: Rwanda Vs Algeria 20:00 (Local Time)
For fixtures of all other groups, follow the link here.
