Uganda, Rwanda advance to FIBA U18 Africa Zone V Basketball C'ship finals

Source: Kenya Star

KAMPALA, June 13 (Xinhua) -- Hosts Uganda and Rwanda have advanced to the final in the girls' category at the 2024 FIBA U18 Zone V Basketball Championship at the Lugogo Indoor Stadium in Kampala, Uganda.

Rwanda took to the court first to beat Kenya 71-45. The team, led by captain Solange Uwmwari, led after all four quarters.

Brigitte Nibishaka and Rebecca Cyuzuzo scored 19 and 10 points respectively for Rwanda, while Kenya's highest scorer, Alicia Elizabeth Mito, notched 18 points.

"We are very happy that we have worked hard to reach the final of the competition. We had a good game plan that worked for us because we did not give the Kenyan team space to score many points," Uwmwari told Xinhua after the match.

In the second girls' semifinal, Uganda thrashed Tanzania 100-56. Uganda's Resty Nanangwe notched a game-high 20 points, while Modesta Anyango and Shiphrah Kiranda added 17 and 12 points respectively to give the home side a big win.

Kenya's Elizabeth Laizer top scored for her team with 15 points. Uganda captain Christine Namyalo said the team is determined to win the final. "We are determined to go all the way and win so that we qualify for the African Championship," added Namyalo.

In the first boys' semifinal, Rwanda defeated Kenya. Captain Darcy Mnega led by example, scoring a game-high 27 points. Juru Cedrick Ntigurigwa and Jonas Singiza also notched 12 and 10 points respectively for Rwanda, while Powell Owino was Kenya's highest scorer with 15 points.

Kenya captain Patrick Githurandungu said his team had played against a good and well-balanced side. "We tried to play our game and also changed strategy, but Rwanda were good in attack and defending," he said.

The winners in each category will earn a slot in the FIBA U18 African Championship in August in South Africa.