KIGALI (Rwanda)- Armee Patriotique Rwanda (APR) are among the ten teams confirmed for the 2022 FIBA Africa Champions Cup for Women in Maputo, Mozambique.

And the top Rwandese side will be headed to only their first-ever continental festival obviously unaware of what to expect from the December 9-17 event that will tip of in the Mozambican port city of Maputo for the third time in the last decade having hosted the competition in 2016 and 2018.

APR have dominated the Rwanda national league for many years bagging the top prize between 2005-2019 before an emerging Rwanda Energy Group (REG) came on to the scene to stop that impressive run in the 2021 and 2022 editions.

APR were placed third in the nine-team FIBA Africa Zone Five Club Championship  held at the Benjamin Mkapa Indoor Stadium in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania in September-October.

They missed a direct ticket to the Africa showpiece after going down 61-39 to Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) in the Semi-Finals.

But they did well to shut out compatriots REG 42-39 in the bronze medal game in a closely contested game.

This effort was rewarded by FIBA Africa as it earned the Rwandese club  a wild card and their first trip to the continental showpiece where they will have a chance to brush shoulders with the best.

In their Group B matches, APR registered the highest score in the competition's history when they dismantled Welkite of Ethiopia 135-38 in a one sided demolition.

Their other wins included a 64-40 triumph over Vijana Queens of Tanzania hat was followed by another polished performance as they thumped new comers Nile Legends from South Sudan 95-29.

Their undoing remains the fact that they have not been at this level of competition before which might just impede their progress on this new journey but they are ready and will give it a good try.

APR post players led by Umuganeza Charlotte and Uweziye Assouma as well as guard Nsanzagaganwa Nelly are expected to carry the team by playing big roles on both ends of the court.

Mbazumutima Charles, the APR head coach has been at the helm of this side for 18 years now and has seen them grow from strength to strength. He will sure cherish this outing but he knows a heavy task lies ahead.

His long experience that has seen him handle Rwanda National team as an assistant coach for two year and also the U-18 side will sure come in handy as the team face off against the best the continent has to offer.

APR will have to improve their roster for the Maputo meeting. If they travel only with the who did duty for the team in Dar es Salaam, they will find life rough against seasoned participants.

Coach Mbazumutima told FIBA.basketball that the backcourt has the capability to stand up against  any opposition, his concerns, however, remain at the frontcourt where he must try to get a strong post-up player.

"This is an important position for any team in a championships of this nature. I need a good player with experience to be able to perform well. I am on the look out for one to join us even across the region." he said.

If he does not succeed in his search to boost the squad, he will have no otherwise but to use those at his disposal. And this means banking on the exploits of Umuganweza and Assouma to deliver the goods.

It is only by taking pat in these championships that you can know whether the team is making progress or not. It is time for coach Mbazumutima and APR to test their might against Africa's top sides. 

FIBA