Rwanda men’s national basketball team head coach Dr. Cheikh Sarr has unveiled the final 12-man roster for AfroBasket 2025, featuring several new faces but notably excluding guard Jean Jacques Wilson Nshobozwabyosenumukiza and forward Axel Mpoyo.
The announcement came on August 10, with the team already in Angola preparing for the tournament.
The decision follows weeks of uncertainty surrounding the pair. The 16-man training camp roster, maintained until August 6, saw Mpoyo sidelined in both friendly games against Libya at BK Arena on August 4 and 6 due to injury.
Nshobozwa played the first game but was absent in the second, fueling speculation about their availability.
Mpoyo’s injury is a significant setback for Cheikh Sarr, especially with Osborn Shema still recovering from a long-term injury.
Meanwhile, Nshobozwa has seen limited minutes at APR this season and now faces stiff competition from new players
New additions include guards Prince Twa and David Mutabazi, who join experienced backcourt leader Ntore Habimana and versatile swingman William Robeyns.
First-time call-ups also feature forward Paul Bizimana, a potential replacement for Mpoyo, and center Hason Ward.
Forward Trey Twa, Prince’s brother, also earns his debut selection.
Dr. Cheikh Sarr will be assisted by Kenneth Hubert Wilson Gasana, Yves Murenzi, and Sunny Niyomugabo Munyandamutsa.
Drawn in Group A, Rwanda will play all group games at the Pavilhão Multiusos Welwitschia Mirabilis in Namibe.
They open their campaign against Côte d’Ivoire on August 13, face DR Congo on August 15, and conclude the group stage against Cape Verde on August 17.
Final 12-man roster: Prince Twa, Ntore Habimana, William Robeyns, David Mutabazi, Steven Hagumintwari, Dieudonné Ndizeye Ndayisaba, Paul Bizimana, Bruno Shema, Prince Muhizi, Trey Twa, Cadeau de Dieu Furaha, and Hason Ward.
