The Rwanda junior Basketball team fell to Mali, 49-67, in its opening game of the FIBA U-18 African Championship on Thursday, August 4, at Palais des Sports Mahamasina
ANTANANARIVO, August 4, 2022, Rwanda’s Under 18 Basketball team dropped its opening game in Group B at the 2022 African youth championship of National U18 teams.
The Malians started brilliantly and dominated the first two quarters to enjoy a comfortable 38-25 lead at halftime. They kept the momentum and held Rwandese to eight points in the third quarter to enter the last 10 minutes of the period with a 54-33 merit score.
The Rwandans came out hard in the final quarter determined to cut the deficit, however, the gap was huge. Mali ended the game with a 67-49 massive victory in Group B games.
Mali’s Amadou Doumbia led all scorers with 24 points, and he was the only Mali player to score in double-digit while Hubert Sage Kwizera had 13 points and 7 rebounds on the side of Rwanda. Dick Sano Rutatika added 13 points too.
Rwanda will be back on the court on Saturday, August 6th against Guinea. Mali faces Angola this Friday before clashing with Egypt on Saturday.
Mali, the defending champion, has been dominating Africa for quite a while since they established a consistent basketball youth program. They won the tournament’s last two editions and they are among the favorites in this year’s edition.
The finalists of the 2022 Edition will represent Africa in FIBA U19 World Championship slated in Debrecen, Hungary from June 24 to July 2, 2023
Photos: FIBA
