7 points from Overtime and 15 points in general scored by Jean Jacques Nshobozwabyosenumukiza gave Rwanda a win over South Sudan. The team’s only win in the concluded 2021 Afrobasket Qualifiers Group D.
With a draught of no-wins ever since the 2021 AfroBasket Qualifiers competitions started, the host of the main event finally registered one win. The first window was held at Kigali Arena, Kigali and Rwanda under the guidance of coach Vladimir Bosnjak lost all three games. He later resigned at the end of the 1st window games.
When it came to the 2nd window, Vladimir Bosnjak’s then-assistant coach Henry Mwinuka was assigned the task to take over as head coach. Henry did not start his tenure well when he lost the first two games but the efforts were rewarded in his last game of the 2nd window thanks to an outstanding performance from Nshobozwabyosenumukiza.
South Sudan that came in this match after securing their qualification last night, were giving the balls away too easily. South Sudan’s 8 turnovers in the first quarter and 26 in regular time were not good enough for Rwanda who didn’t manage to take advantage of that. South Sudan made altogether 31 turnovers in the whole match but still, Rwanda, who made 13 less, didn’t score many points from those turnovers compared to South Sudan.
South Sudan led two quarters on a one-point difference, 19-18 in the first Quarter and 10-10 in the second quarter. In the third quarter, Rwanda took the led through the shooting guard, Kenneth Gasana who made 14 points in the 3rd and 4th quarters. Rwanda ended the 3rd Quarter high, 15-09 before South Sudan fought back to force them into overtime. The regular time ended with a 53-53 tie.
In the Overtime, South Sudan made numerous turnovers again, but this time the Rwandan point guard, Jean Jacques Nshobozwabyosenumukiza took advantage of the opportunity to score 7 out of 9 points that Rwanda scored in overtime. 62-58 was the final score in favor of Rwanda. Jean Jacques Nshobozwabyosenumukiza was a hero in this game simply based on the effort he showed by stealing balls. He made 14 steals in this game.
Jean Jacques handed Henry Mwinuka his first win as the national team head coach. Remember that Henry Mwinuka is also Jean Jacques’ head coach at REG BBC.
