Rwanda’s U-16 boys’ and girls’ national basketball teams have departed for Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, to participate in the FIBA U-16 AfroBasket Zone V Qualifiers, despite already securing automatic qualification for the continental championship as hosts.
The delegation left Kigali International Airport on the morning of Tuesday, June 10. The teams will use the regional qualifiers as a build-up to the main tournament, which will be held in Kigali this September.
The Zone V Qualifiers, scheduled from June 12–14 in Kibaha, Tanzania, will feature four East African countries—Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, and Rwanda—competing in both the boys’ and girls’ categories.
These games serve as qualifiers for the FIBA U-16 AfroBasket 2025, which will take place in Kigali from September 2–14. Contrary to earlier reports, the boys’ and girls’ tournaments will now be held simultaneously.
The AfroBasket U-16 tournament will feature 12 teams in each category, representing Africa’s seven zones. Rwanda will host both competitions—marking the country’s first time hosting the boys’ event and the second time for the girls’ edition, which was last held in Kigali in 2019 at Petit Stade.
In the boys’ category, five teams—host nation Rwanda, defending champions Guinea, Egypt, Mali, and Angola (the 2023 semifinalists)—have already secured spots. The remaining seven slots will be determined through zonal qualifiers.
Zone IV has concluded, with Cameroon clinching their maiden ticket.
In the girls’ category, Rwanda and Mali qualify automatically as hosts and defending champions, respectively. Egypt, Angola, and Tunisia—semifinalists from the last edition—have also booked their places, while Cameroon secured qualification through Zone IV.
Mali has dominated the women’s competition, having won all previous editions.
Team Rwanda Squads
The Rwanda U-16 girls’ team is coached by Joselyne Munyaneza, with Moussa Harelimana as her assistant. The 12-player squad includes:
- Ndaruhutse Atete Raissa
- Ishimwe Alpha Rebecca
- Ndzara Arhoria Johana
- Muhorakeye Chanceline
- Nzitabakuze Soumaya
- Ineza Mushumba Kessy
- Ihogoza Agahozo Fany
- Akaliza Husina
- Agasaro Greater Gradis
- Mutoniwase Tidjara
- Gwiza Kagina Christa
- Akamikazi Tessy Clara
The boys’ team will be led by Head Coach Bienvenue Ngandu and Assistant Coach Emmanuel Habumugisha. The roster includes:
- Murenzi Mucyo Ian
- Sibomana Ngabo Armael
- Ngabo Neto
- Ganza Hirwa Kelvin
- Shami Jonathan
- Mugisha Yvan Prince
- Kayihura Elouan
- Irakiza Gedeon
- Mugisha Divin
- Cyusa Divin
- Muhirwa Alvin Joshua
- Kabenga Manzi Enzo
In the previous edition of the U-16 AfroBasket, Rwanda finished fifth in the boys’ category and seventh in the girls’ competition. The upcoming qualifiers will be crucial in preparing both teams for a strong showing on home soil this September.
