KIGALI (Rwanda) – The Rwandan Patriotic Army (RPA) is set to make its return to a major continental competition at this year’s Women’s Basketball League Africa (WBLA), which begins on December 6 in Dakar, in Senegal.
This is the first time APR has participated in a continental competition since participating in the 2022 African Champions Cup in Maputo, Mozambique, where they finished 0-6.
For four-time champions Rwanda, the return is an opportunity to redeem themselves after failing in the FIBA Africa Zone 5 qualifiers, which took place in Zanzibar, Tanzania.
QUALIFYING FOR THE WBLA 2024
FIBA Africa has granted a wild card to the Zone 5 qualifier bronze medalist for the continental tournament.
The team played in the 11-team qualifier at the brand new Amaan Indoor Stadium, with Zanzibar hosting its first ever FIBA competition. The team began their campaign by dominating the reigning African silver medalists, Kenya Ports Authority (KPA), with a score of 96-76.
They then defeated Ethiopian team Hawassa 123-38 to remain undefeated in the group stage. Facing the Gladiators of Burundi in the quarter-finals, the team won 78-55 to qualify for the semi-finals, where they faced their great rival, Rwanda Energy Group (REG), and lost 82-77.
In the third-place match, APR won 85-51 over KPA, who lost in the other semi-final to eventual winners Al Ahly Sporting Club to make it 2-0 against the Kenyans.
KEY PLAYERS
Former African MVP Italee Lucas carried the APR attack in qualifying, teaming up with Malian winger Kamba Yoro Diakite and Canadian Shaina Pellington to dominate her opponents, before losing to the fifth time in a row against the Rwandan team REG. The trio will be crucial for the APR.
The two teams met in the final of the Rwandan championship, in the best of seven rounds, before the Zone 5 event. The APR lost 4-0 and went to the zonal event as as the second best team in the country.
APR’s defense was provided by Democratic Republic of Congo strong winger Chanel Mokango, who will not participate in the continental event. Lucas and captain Charlotte Umugwaneza also performed well and should lead the charge.
-NATIONAL TEAM PLAYERS
The team boasts a large number of players, led by Olympic athlete Pellington, Angolan-American Lucas and captain Umugwaneza. The majority of Rwandans have made the national team, with Martine Umuhoza and Sandra Kantoré participating in the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2026 pre-qualifying tournament held in the country.
Young Jane Dusabe, who played for REG in last year’s AWBL, also participated in the U18 qualifiers in 2022, as did Diakite in 2016, who participated in the U19 Women’s Basketball World Cup of FIBA in 2017.
NEW RECRUITS
The American Kierstan Bell, double champion of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) with the Las Vegas Aces, selected in the first round (11th) in 2022, will wear the colors of the Rwandan team.
AfroBasket U18 star Brigitte Nibishaka will also be part of the team. Aged 17, she was this year the best player and the best scorer in the Rwandan regular season.
YEAR OF CREATION AND OWNERSHIP
Owned and financed by the Ministry of Defense of Rwanda, the team plays in the Rwandan women’s basketball league and is the most successful women’s club with four titles.
The APR teams emerged during the RPF liberation struggle in 1993. They were created to serve as a means of mobilizing and occupying soldiers during a ceasefire as part of the peace talks from Arusha.
THE COACH
The experienced Charles Mushumba, appointed head coach in September, leads the APR for its first participation in a continental competition. The former IPRC-South tactician is highly experienced, having served as an assistant and head coach of the men’s national team in different positions.
HOME MATCHES
The team plays its nine-team national championship matches on the grounds of Amahoro Indoor, Keplar University and Lou de Car. The play-offs and major matches take place at the BK Arena.
FIBA
