Rwanda pick first win as four more teams qualify for AfroBasket 2021
MONASTIR/YAOUNDE (Tunisia/Cameroon) - Rwanda picked their first win on the day that four other teams qualified for the FIBA AfroBasket 2021.
MONASTIR/YAOUNDE (Tunisia/Cameroon) - Rwanda picked their first win on the day that four other teams qualified for the FIBA AfroBasket 2021.
After losing all of their five Group D games, the hosts of the FIBA AfroBasket 2021 looked more confident, competitive and determined to close their Qualifiers campaign in style.
A big shoutout to Jean Jacques Nshobozwa on an outstanding performance! He ended the game with 15 points and 14 steals. 🔥🏀#Afrobasket #Afrobasket2021Q pic.twitter.com/uM1UrgtmAW
— FERWABA 🏀🇷🇼 (@ferwabaRW) February 19, 2021
The Rwanda trailed by one (29-28) at the break, but they weren't prepared to go down easily.
Rwanda's Jean Jacques Nshobozwabyosenumukiza not only set a tournament record with his 14 steals, but he also added a game-high 15 points in the historic 62-58 overtime win against South Sudan as they finished 1-5 in the Qualifiers process.
Kenneth Gasana was fundamental adding 14 points and 10 rebounds and Elie Kaje contributed 10 points in the winning cause.
But the day's actions was also marked by the number of teams that secured their tickets to the Final Round.
In Yaounde, Group B leaders Senegal had a slow start against Kenya, but were able to dispatch the East African side 69-51.
And although Kenya opened the proceedings with a 7-0 run and led 31-27 at halftime, Senegal made a number of tactical adjustments at both ends of the court to improve their Qualifiers winning streak to 4-0, and, in the process, they qualified to this year's FIBA Africa's premier basketball event to be staged in Kigali, Rwanda in August.
Still in Group B, Angola improved to 3-1 thanks to a 91-68 triumph over Mozambique. The eleven-time African champions have also qualified for the Final Round.
In Group C, the 'Elephants' of Cote d'Ivoire were forced to bring their A-game against a resolute Guinea side as they too advanced to the FIBA AfroBasket 2021.
Five Ivorians, ignited by Deon Thompson who led his team in scoring with 14 points, scored ten points or more as Cote d'Ivoire saw off Guinea 87-73.
🇨🇮 succeeded in outscoring 🇬🇳 87-73. The winners showed their strength with 36 rebounds to ease their chances of winning the game. Quite a remarkable performance from 🇬🇳 who had the best scorers Doumbia (16 pts) and Mansare (15 pts). For 🇨🇮 Thompson got 14 pts.#AfroBasket pic.twitter.com/EnTyeykxnQ
— FIBA AfroBasket (@AfroBasket) February 19, 2021
While Cote d'Ivoire improved to 4-0, the Guineans are yet to win a game after four attempts.
In other Qualifiers games played in the Tunisian city of Monastir, reigning African champions Tunisia dispatched Madagascar 78-51 in the first Group A game of the day, and they will be able to defend their continental trophy in Kigali.
With two games remaining, Tunisia top their group with a 4-0, Madagascar remain winless in four games, while the Central African Republic who beat DR Congo 69-68 in overtime, tied the Congolese in their group with a 2-2.
In Group D's first game, Nigeria closed their Qualifiers campaign unbeaten in six games thanks to a 76-56 victory over Mali.
Meanwhile, the game between Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea was postponed due to the late arrival of the latter to Yaounde.
According to FIBA: "Today’s game between Equatorial Guinea and Cameroon of the FIBA AfroBasket 2021 Qualifiers in Yaounde, Cameroon will not take place, with the health and safety of players, coaches and officials being the primary consideration."
So far, teams qualified for the FIBA AfroBasket 2021 include Tunisia, Nigeria, Senegal, Mali, Cote d'Ivoire, hosts Rwanda, South Sudan, and Angola.
The AfroBasket Qualifiers campaign resume on Saturday. Click here for Saturday's scheduled.
FIBA