Rwanda’s Women’s 3×3 Basketball team clinched the gold medal at the maiden African School Games after a narrow 12-11 victory over Nigeria in the final.
The historic victory came on Tuesday, July 29, in Annaba, Algeria, as coach Didier Shema Nshuti’s team capped off an impressive campaign, winning five of six games since the tournament began on July 27.
Rwanda, led by captain Nicole Teta Kwitonda alongside Emelyne Mahoro Iragena, Raissa Atete Ndaruhutse, and Esther Gihozo, started with back-to-back wins over Nigeria 11-9 and hosts Algeria 20-10, building chemistry and confidence early on.
On Day 2, Rwanda narrowly edged Uganda 16-15 before suffering their only defeat of the tournament, a 13-10 loss to Benin. Despite this setback, they had already secured a spot in the semifinals.
In the semifinals, Rwanda again defeated Uganda 14-13 to advance to the final against Nigeria. In a closely contested match, they edged Nigeria 12-11 to claim their first-ever continental gold at the African School Games.
In the men’s category, Rwanda’s campaign ended in the quarterfinals following a defeat to host nation Algeria. Gambia went on to win the men’s gold, defeating the Central African Republic 21-18 in the final.
The African School Games 2025 mark the first edition of the continental multi-sport school competition, held across eastern Algeria from 26 July to 5 August 2025.
