Burundian guard Hakizimana reflects on experience gained at FIBA AfroBasket 2017 Qualifiers

BUJUMBURA (FIBA AfroBasket 2017) - Burundi's Elvis Hakizimana is one of the most celebrated shooting guards in the East African region but more so for his opponents who would know better after continuous failed attempts to mark him out over the years.

The 31-year old, who is renowned for being lethal from three-point range, told FIBA.com in an exclusive interview that playing at the recently concluded FIBA AfroBasket 2017 Group F Qualifiers was very beneficial to him and his teammates, a valuable experience across the board.

"Our team is comprised of young and inexperienced players who are yet to understand the level of competition. So playing in Cairo helped us to gain experience as a team that will come in handy going forward," Hakizimana told FIBA.com.

In the past, financial constraints have limited Burundi's quest to dominate the region even though they have a very talented and skilled pool of young players looking to make their mark beyond the borders of their nation.

Hakizimana reminisces back to when Burundian outfit Urunani won three FIBA Africa Zone 5 Club Championship titles in four years - 2011 in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, 2013 at home in Bujumbura and 2014 in Mombasa, Kenya. He believes this could have propelled them to a much bigger presence in the region but they have been victims of poor preparations and lack of funds.

Entangled in nationwide unrest, Burundian basketball has suffered the consequences of the aftermath but it is the never-give-up attitude of the Burundi Basketball Federation (FFB) that has kept the hopes of these young men alive. 

In Cairo, Burundi opened their title quest with a convincing 96-83 victory over Somalia with Rodrigue Kabura scoring a game-high 28 points and collected 6 rebounds while point guard Jean Hakizimana added 20 points including a going 7-of-7 from the free-throw line. 

However, their next three games were losses to familiar foes in eventual finalists Uganda (99-54), hosts and eventual champions Egypt (135-71) and neighbours and archrivals Rwanda 89-75.

"In our region, Egypt is far ahead of us to be honest but Uganda and Rwanda are teams we can compete with favourably if we have the right preparations," Elvis Hakizimana explained. "We have quality clubs to win the regional tournament and with that comes experience and confidence that can be used for the national side." 

According to Hakizimana, young players like Landry Ndikumana, Bienvenue Richard Ndikuriyo, Guibert Nijimbere and Kabura have what it takes to propel Burundi to the next level and in the next two years will be ready to challenge for a place at the FIBA Afrocan 2019.

FIBA