KIGALI (Rwanda) - Rwanda Energy Group (REG) are all set in Dakar, Senegal for the Women's Basketball League Africa (WBLA), which begins on 6 December. It will be their second appearance in the continent's premier women's club competition in as many years. The Rwandan national champions played in last year's edition in Alexandria, Egypt. By all accounts, it was a good outing for REG, who finished fourth. It was Angolan giants and five-time continental champions Interclube who denied them a podium finish, beating them 83-68 in the bronze medal play-off.
HOW THEY QUALIFIED FOR THE 2024 WBLA
REG had a good run in the 11-team WBLA FIBA Africa Zone 5 qualifiers held in Zanzibar, Tanzania, in October, claiming the silver medal after being knocked out 93-69 by winners Al Ahly SC of Egypt.
They were drawn in Group C alongside Equity Bank Hawks of Kenya, Gladiators of Burundi and Fox Divas of Tanzania.
The Gladiators won 86-34. They also met and beat compatriots APR 82-77 in an explosive all-Rwandan confrontation across the border. Speedy guard Victoria Reynolds scored 26 points in the match.
One of the team's other treasured results of the tournament was their 86-73 victory over former regional champions and Kenyan champions Equity Bank Hawks.
In that game, the Bankers were hurt most by the Kenyan international duo of Reynolds and Mercy Wanyama.
Wanyama and Kristine Morgan King continued to be the backbone of the team's defence.
KEY PLAYERS
Point guard Destiny Philoxy remains the engine that drives the REG machine. She will get some much-needed help from Khayla Pointer, who was drafted in 2021 by the two-time champion WNBA Las Vegas Aces. Other key players expected to lead the team to their first podium finish are Burundian centre Ines Nezerwa and Senegalese power forward Aminata Ly.
NATIONAL TEAM PLAYERS
Point guard Destiny Philoxy (Rwanda), center Ines Nezerwa (Burundi) and power forward Aminata Ly (Senegal).
YEAR OF FOUNDATION AND OWNERSHIP
REG was founded in 2021 and is sponsored by the Rwanda Energy Group. In that time, it has made waves in Rwanda's domestic league and established itself as a force to be reckoned with in the region.
HEAD COACH
Spaniard Julian Martinez is in charge of the team. If the results from the Indian Ocean island are anything to go by, the future looks bright for REG.
WHERE THEY PLAY AT HOME
The team plays its nine-team national league matches at the Amahoro Indoor, Keplar University and Lou de Car courts. The play-offs and big matches are played at the BK Arena.
FIBA