Following a series of wins against Eritrea, South Sudan and Tanzania, Rwanda’s poor offense and silly turnovers in the last quarter cost them a game against Burundi.
Rwandan National Basketball Team led by seven points going into the fourth quarter at Benjamin Mkapa Indoor Court, but seven turnovers and one offensive rebound allowed a motivated Burundian side to come back and beat them by a narrow 53-52 score.
Burundi commanded the opening seven minutes of the game, leading by six points (9-15). Osborn’s three from the corner cut that deficit to three points before he connects with Nshobozwabyosemukiza on back-to-back three-pointers to conclude the quarter in Rwanda’s favor. 18-15.
Rwanda continued to play admirably, scoring eight points in a row to compel Aaron Kagabo to take a timeout and change his strategy. The Burundians gradually lost the quarter, behind by five points (31-36) at the break.
Poor shooting and frequent turnovers began to occur in the third period. Dr. Cheick Sarr’s squad went down and began to give the balls away while missing open shots, resulting in a lower score. The Rwandans put in 10 points while the opponent scored 8.
For the first three quarters, The Rwandans counterpunched practically every blow Burundians delivered. However, the mistakes and an inability to beat back one final charge by Burundi in the fourth quarter cost Rwanda in a 53-52 loss in game 4 of the FIBA AfroCan Zone 5 Qualifiers.
Guibert Nijimbere and his compatriots staged a comeback and took a point lead as a result of seven turnovers and Rwanda’s failure to make shots (2-of-8 FGs).
The Rwandans had a chance to tie the game by taking advantage of Landry Ndikumana’s foul in the last second of the game. However, the coaching staff should be held accountable for misinterpreting Landry’s unsportsmanlike foul as a technical foul.
While the foul was committed on Dick Sano Rutatika, who was substituted due to a concussion, Hagumintwali took the free throw that Sano’s substitute was meant to take. and the officials didn’t hesitate to cancel the basket and give possession to the Burundians. Full-time, Burundi prevails 53-52.
Jean Jacques Wilson Nshobozwabyosenumukiza led the Rwandans with 18 points, while Guibert Nijimbere had 13 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists for Burundi. The former City Oilers big man, Landry Ndikumana contributed 7 points, 15 rebounds, and two assists.
Burundi finished the group stage with an unblemished record of four games. They will have to square off with the Rwandans, the second-ranked team (3-1) to determine the Zone 5 representative in 2023 AfroCan.
RDV on Friday, June 23 at Benjamin Mkapa indoor court
