RABAT (Morocco) - Rwanda clinched the last ticket to the AfroBasket 2025 by beating Gabon 81-71 in Rabat on Sunday.
Gabon needed to beat Rwanda by 28 points or more to secure the last qualifying spot in their group, but Rwanda weren't about to return home without a ticket to Angola 2025.
Ntore Habimana led the way with 18 points and Alex Mpoyo added 30 as Rwanda finished 2-4 in Group C.
Former NBA player Chris Silva recorded his third consecutive double-double (13 points, 16 rebounds) and Daniel Quentin Akoue scored a team-high 18 points, but their efforts weren't enough to prevent Gabon from returning home with an 0-6 record.
This is Rwanda's fourth consecutive qualification to FIBA's flagship tournament since 2017, when they finished tenth in Tunisia.
Gabon, meanwhile, last played at AfroBasket in 2015.
William Robeyns, who turned 29 on Sunday, said it felt "special to be part of a moment like this, qualifying for the AfroBasket again".
Silva, who played his first three games with the Gabon national team, noted that he remains confident about the team's future. "We have some talent. It is a young group of players. We will continue to work.
The 2025 AfroBasket will be held in Angola from 12-24 August.
FIBA