Damas Sikubwabo
Africa-Press – Rwanda. Friday
Semi-finals
KPA 74-53 JKL Lady Dolphins
REG 76- 61 Equity Bank
FIBA Africa Zone V Women’s Championship finalists Rwanda Energy Group(REG) and Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) have secured their tickets to play the 2023 FIBA Africa Champions Cup that will take place in Egypt from December 8-17.
Rwanda Energy Group(REG) and Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) players durinmg the Zone V game in Kigali. Both teams have secured their tickets to play the 2023 FIBA Africa Champions Cup. Photo by Dan Gatsinzi
REG confirmed their spot in the continental showpiece after reaching the final of the Zone V Games following Friday night’s 76-61 semifinal victory over Equity Bank of Kenya at Lycée de Kigali Gymnasium.
Power Forward Betty Kalanga led the way with 22 points and star point guard Anastasia Faith Hayes added 15 points as the Rwandan representatives set a final date with KPA who beat Uganda’s JKL Lady Dolphins 74-53 in another semifinal.
Equity Bank won the first quarter 20-16 but REG quickly fought back to claim the second quarter 19-15 to tie the game 35-35 at the break.
But Esperance Mukaneza’ ladies, led by Kalanga and Rosine Micyomyiza, returned in the second half a better side, both defensively and in attack, hence taking the third and fourth quarters 21-10 and 20-16 respectively to bag the ticket-deciding victory before their home supporters.
“We’re now in the final game, congratulations to my players for yet another brilliant performance. Beating Equity Bank was not easy, I expect the final to be a little easier,” coach Mukaneza told Times Sport in a post-match interview.
Meanwhile, APR women crashed out of the competition following a shock 58-75 quarterfinal defeat to Uganda’s JKL Lady Dolphins on Thursday.
REG will now take on KPA in the final while JKL Lady Dolphins and Equity Bank face off in the battle of the third place. Both games are due Saturday at Lycée de Kigali Gymnasium.
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