Rwanda Basketball National team head coach, Dr Cheikh Sarr has announced the 18-man senior men’s roster that will compete in the first window of the 2023 FIBA World Cup Qualifiers. Meanwhile, Charles Mushumba has been added to the coaching staff as an assistant.
Rwanda, drawn with Cameroon, South Sudan and Tunisia in Group B of 2023 World Cup African Qualifiers, kicks off the campaign next month in Senegal.
The first game is scheduled for February 25 against South Sudan. However, the team management plans to play some friendly games before the competition.
Ahead of preparations, the changes have been made to technical staff. Charles Mushumba will join Dr Sarr’s staff as first Assistant Coach, alongside current second assistant coach Yves Murenzi.
Mushumba is currently the head coach of IPRC Huye in the Rwanda Basketball League. He has replaced Henry Mwinuka
Eric Kabagema and Claude Mukurarinda will serve as general manager and team manager respectively too.
Among the players called up, Patriots forward, Steven Hagumintwali missed out due to the injury picked in AfroBasket games.
The 2023 World Cup African Qualifiers will be played in two rounds;
In the first round, the 16 teams have been divided into four groups of four teams to play a double round-robin system. Three best-placed teams from a group will advance to the second round.
In the second round, the twelve teams will be divided into two groups of six teams. Each group will be formed from teams advanced from two first-round groups. All results from the previous round will be carried out. Two best-placed teams from both groups plus the third-placed team with a better record will qualify for the World Cup.
MEN’S NATIONAL TEAM ROSTER:
Ally Kubwimana Kazingufu (APR BBC), Jean Jacques Nshobozwabyosenumukiza (REG BBC), Bello Nkanira (IPRC Kigali), Aristide Mugabe (Patriots), Armel Sangwe (APR BBC), Bruno Nyamwasa (IPRC Kigali), Pascal Niyonkuru (REG BBC), Fiston Irutingabo (APR BBC), Thierry Nkundwa (APR BBC), Dieudonné Ndizeye Ndayisaba (Patriots), Prince Muhizi (REG BBC), Victoire Mutabaruka (IPRC Kigali), Eric Muhayumukiza (IPRC Kigali), Olivier Shyaka ( REG BBC), Elie Kaje (REG BBC), Hubert Kabare Bugingo (IPRC Huye), Arnaud Nkusi (APR BBC), and Jean Paul Ndoli ( Patriots)
TECHNICAL STAFF:
Technical Director: Moise Mutokambali
General Manager: Eric Kabagema
Head Coach: Dr. Cheikh Sarr
1st Assistant Coach: Charles Mushumba
2nd Assistant Coach: Yves Murenzi
Physical Conditioning Coaches: Carballo Manuel and Gustave Kayitakire
Video Analyst: Remy Munyaneza
Team Manager: Claude Mukurarinda
Kit Manager: Romeo Murenzi
Team Physio: Jean Claude Tuyishime
Team Doctor: Dr. Leandre Ishema
