How fans support spurs Rwanda to victory over Democratic Republic of Congo

KIGALI (Rwanda) - As fans make gradual returns to sporting activities globally as evident in Group A game between host Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo for the 30th edition of AfroBasket was a testament that the role of fans in a sport is as important as the team itself.

About 3,500 fans - locals and some foreigners - flocked into the new Kigali Arena on Tuesday to witness the celebration of African basketball.

The chanting and singing by the Rwanda fans in the last three minutes of the game with the score standing at 70-66 with 3:01 minutes left on the clock and the Congolese side looking more and more dangerous was all the Kennethe Gasana-led side needed to turn the heat on their opponent which eventually culminated into an 82-68 points victory for the home side.

At the technical meeting held at the weekend to usher this year's AfroBasket, which reached a milestone of 60th anniversary of it's existence, an agreement was reached that 4,200 fans would be allowed into the Kigali Arena which has a capacity of 10,000, in line with COVID-19 protocol.

The fans reacted swiftly to spur their darling team to victory and an eye for the Quarter-Finals if they continue to do in their two remaining preliminary games against perennial champion Angola on Thursday and giant in-the-making Cape Verde side on Saturday.

Over the past few years, basketball has become more and more popular in Rwanda, a country that has hosted some of the biggest basketball events on the continent recently such was the inaugural Basketball Africa League in May 2021. 

FIBA