Rwanda’s U-16 National Teams, boys and girls, flew back to Kigali on Tuesday afternoon from Tunisia, where they placed fifth in boys and seventh in girls in the recently ended African Championships.
The Rwandan delegation was received cordially by their families upon their arrival at Kigali International Airport and the journalists were eagerly waiting for the participants.
Speaking on behalf of the players, Sean Williams Mwesigwa, who had a stellar performance at the FIBA U16 African Championship, averaging 18.4 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 3 assists per game, spoke with us about the tournament and how he evaluates his performance.
The 15-year-old also emphasized what they lacked that prevented them from reaching the semi-finals.
Mwesigwa, the team’s leading scorer, also reveals where he needs to improve based on what he learned throughout the competition.
“I’m used to the less physical game and a lot more scoring. These guys are used to more team ball, which is something that I definitely stick away from my experience being here. So, yes, that’s what I would say the difference is. So that’s something I definitely picked up from my teammates and something I’ll take back with me when I go back to the States.”
Mwesigwa currently plays for Varsity high school team in Texas. during the 2023 FIBA U-16 African Championship, Rwanda’s journey ended in the quarter-finals following a 94-78 defeat against Egypt. Thus, they had to continue playing classification games.
It was a painful evening for Habiyaremye’s squad, who were vying for a place in the World Cup. A target they should have fulfilled if they made the final.
When addressing the media, coach Patrick Habiyaremye urged the national team officials that the group would still be taken care of and make sure that the preparations for the next tournaments start earlier
“We didn’t make it to the semifinals or qualify for the World Cup, but we finished fifth. It wasn’t easy, and for us, the results aren’t disappointing.”
“We only need to make a few minor adjustments, which will allow us to return to the tournament [U18] more competitively if we plan ahead, get all the kids there on time, and have time to harmonize the game.”
In the classification games, the team led by Patrick Habiyaremye beat Morocco by a tight score of 77-76. Two days later, they defeated Côte d’Ivoire 74-62 to take fifth place.
Guinea stunned Egypt in the final to win the boys’ championship. While in girls, Mali clinched the eighth title in a row.
There is little question that the finest outcomes for the boys came from the introduction of Rwanda’s second division in basketball, where the bulk of U-16 boys players are presently participating.
The girls’ journey has not been easy; after dropping five games in a row, they overcame Guinea in the classification game and place seventh overall
In an interview with Moise Mutokambali, the Basketball National Technical Director, he detailed the girls’ dismal performance as well as their plans to improve and thrive at the international level.
“Locally, the girls’ teams aren’t making much progress; we need to put forth more effort, stay up with the schools’ competition, and go further into development.” Said Mutokambali
He continued; “The boys’ level has risen mostly as a result of the second-tier league that we established. That’s why we intend to launch another competition for girls, focusing on schools of excellence. We’re working on it, and we started by instructing the coaches at the schools who will help us raise the girls’ level.”
Meanwhile, In Cape Verde in 2019, Rwanda also came in fifth place, their last appearance in the FIBA U16 African Championship after missing the previous edition in Egypt.
In two years, the teams will be back on the international stage competing at the under-18 level.
