The Rwanda men’s national basketball team defeated Libya 71–65 in a closed-door friendly held on August 4 at BK Arena, as part of their ongoing preparations for the upcoming FIBA AfroBasket 2025, scheduled for August 12–24 in Angola.
This was the first of two scheduled friendlies between the teams before they depart for Luanda.
Head coach Dr. Cheikh Sarr took the opportunity to rotate his squad, giving playing time to 15 of the 16 players in camp, while Libya’s coach Sam Vincent James fielded 13 players.
The two sides will meet again on Wednesday, August 6, for a second and final warm-up game.
AfroBasket 2025 will mark the 31st edition of the continental showpiece. Rwanda is drawn in Group A alongside Côte d’Ivoire, Cape Verde, and DR Congo.
New captain William Robeyns and his teammates will tip off their AfroBasket 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.
Libya, meanwhile, is placed in Group C with hosts Angola, rising powerhouse South Sudan, and Guinea. They will open their campaign against Angola in the tournament’s opening game.
The Rwanda national team training camp includes Lars Ishimwe, Ntore Habimana, Prince Twa, Jean Jacques Wilson Nshobozwabyosenumukiza, William Robeyns (c), Steven Hagumitwari, Axel Mpoyo, Chandelier Cyiza Twizeyimana, Dieudonné Ndizeye Ndayisaba, Prince Muhizi, Paul Bizimana, Cadeaux de Dieu Furaha, Bruno Shema, Ward Hason, Noah Bigirumwami, David Mutabazi, and Trey Twa.
