Rwanda will take on Mozambique on Wednesday, July 12, in a bid to advance to the quarterfinals of the AfroCan Games in Luanda, Angola, following the group stage conclusion on a lower note.
Rwanda suffered back-to-back defeats against Tunisia and Morocco in the 2023 AfroCan Group C games, a result that does not ensure the country of a thousand hills a straight spot in the quarter-finals. As a result, the tournament’s format requires them to compete in a classification round for the quarter-finals in knockout matches.
In Group D, the defending champions, DR Congo did not slip as they qualified straight to the quarter-finals beating Cameroon in the first game and trouncing Mozambique by a 19-point margin in the second. Mozambique beat Cameron as well, finishing second to the DRC.
Rwanda, third in Group C, will face Mozambique, the second-ranked team in Group D, on Wednesday, July 12, to decide Angola’s opponent in the quarter-final showdown slated for Thursday, July 13.
Angola topped Group B after edging out Mali and Nigeria.
Kenya Morans, the other East African participant and previous edition’s finalists, topped Group A and will rub shoulders with the winner of Cameroon and Morocco in the quarter-finals.
Tunisia, the Group C leaders, will play either Mali or Côte d’Ivoire. All games are being held at the Pavilhao Multiusos de Luanda also known as Arena do Kilamba.
All of the teams are resting today and training.
The AfroCan is a quadrennial FIBA Africa event held two years after the AfroBasket. It is intended for African players who play in Africa, with the exception of two players who play beyond the continent, and the competition’s purpose is to give local players more exposure.
Angola is hosting the second edition, following Mali’s hosting of the inaugural event in 2019.
