07 February 2007

RWANDA : Rwanda beats Kenya

Burundi 87-70 Ethiopia (men)
Rwanda 40-96 Kenya (Women)
Rwanda 75-64 Kenya (men)

Rwanda kept her hopes of competing in this year’s All Africa Games Championships scheduled for Algeria alive, following yesterday’s vital 75-64 win over Kenya at Amahoro Petit stade.
With a huge crowd behind their backs, the home team started in modest mood, dominating play, ending the first two quarters with commanding 23-15 and 42-26 scores respectively.
However, Kenya turned the heat on the home side in the third quarter, narrowing the gap to a marginal two points to give the crowd as well as team Coach Jean de Dieu Nizeyimana restless evening.
Rwanda’s unconvincing performance came after its star pivot Thompson Robert was withdrawn from the game with a sprained toe, which could as well be a major blow to the host’s team in their next game against Burundi on tomorrow.
However, Rwanda’s shooting guard Hamza Ruhezamihigo who was on top of his game against Ethiopia came to the home side’s rescue with a much-needed six points in the final two minutes to seal the home side’s victory.
A combination of his dribbling, passing skills and three- point shots were too much for the Kenyan side to handle, especially in the dying minutes of the game.
The win was a sign that the local team had finally landed her winning ways since losing to Egypt on the opening day of the competition.
Rwanda has now registered two victories, a convincing one against Ethiopia 107-78 and a hard-earned one against the Kenyans.
Rwanda will now be hoping that Kenya upsets Egypt if it’s to have any tangible hopes of engaging in the continental event.
The victory was warmly welcomed by Rwanda’s female side who had earlier on suffered an embarrassing 96-40 defeat at the hands of their Kenyan counterparts.
Today, Rwanda’s ladies will be looking to console themselves on the Burundian side that is yet to win a game at the on-going competition.

BY JULIUS MBARAGA

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