KIGALI (Rwanda) – Rwanda Energy Group (REG) is all set for Dakar, Senegal, where the club will compete in the Women’s Basketball League Africa (WBLA), which begins on December 6.
This will be their second appearance in the continent’s premier women’s club competition in as many years.
Rwanda’s national champions participated in last year’s edition in Alexandria, Egypt. By all accounts, REG had a good run, finishing in fourth place.
It was Angolan giant and five-time continental champion Interclube who denied him a place on the podium, beating him 83-68 in the bronze medal classification match.
REG had a strong run in the WBLA FIBA Zone 5 qualifiers held in Zanzibar, Tanzania in October. The club won the silver medal after being defeated 93-69 by the winner, Al Ahly SC of Egypt.
They were placed in Group C with the Equity Bank Hawks of Kenya, the Gladiators of Burundi and the Fox Divas of Tanzania.
The Gladiators won 86-34. They also met and beat their compatriots from the APR 82-77 during an explosive confrontation between Rwandans on the other side of the border. Speedy guard Victoria Reynolds scored 26 points in this game.
One of the team’s best results during the tournament was their 86-73 victory over former regional and Kenyan champions, Equity Bank Hawks.
In this match, the Bankers especially suffered from the Kenyan international duo of Reynolds and Mercy Wanyama.
Wanyama and Kristine Morgan King continued to be the pillars of the team’s defense.
-KEY PLAYERS
Playmaker Destiny Philoxy remains the engine that runs the REG machine.
She will benefit from the valuable help of Khayla Pointer, who was recruited in 2021 by the Las Vegas Aces, two-time WNBA champions.
Other key players who should lead the team to their first place on the podium are Burundian center Ines Nezerwa and Senegalese winger Aminata Ly.
NATIONAL TEAM PLAYERS
Playmaker Destiny Philoxy (Rwanda), center Ines Nezerwa (Burundi) and winger Aminata Ly (Senegal).
YEAR FOUNDED AND OWNERSHIP
REG was founded in 2021 and is sponsored by the Rwanda Energy Group. Since then, he has made waves in the Rwandan league and established himself as a force to be reckoned with in the region.
THE COACH
The Spaniard Julian Martinez is at the head of the team. If the results obtained in the Indian Ocean island nation are anything to go by, the future looks bright for REG.
WHERE THEY PLAY AT HOME
The team plays its national championship matches, which has nine teams, on the indoor courts of Amahoro, Keplar University and Lou de Car. The play-offs and major matches take place at the BK Arena.
FIBA
