Rwanda’s Mugabe: ''The Qualifiers give teams a better and brighter opportunity to book a place in the World Cup''
KIGALI (FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 African Qualifiers) – Rwanda captain Aristide Mugabe is not new to his country’s quest for honor on the African continent.
The 6ft0in (1.83m) point guard made his debut with the national team at FIBA AfroBasket 2013 in Abidjan, Cote d’ Ivoire, and since then he has not looked back.
He has become one of team's key players along with veterans including Kenneth Gasana and Kami Kabange.
Mugabe who plies his trade with Rwanda's Patriots Basketball Club is not willing to renege on his pledge to take his country to the world stage.
“UNLIKE THE FORMER FORMAT WHERE TEAMS GET QUALIFICATION THROUGH FIBA AFROBASKET, THE NEW SYSTEM GIVES TEAMS A BETTER AND BRIGHTER OPPORTUNITY TO BOOK A PLACE IN THE WORLD CUP.” - Mugabe
The East Africans stunned hosts Mali 74-70 in their FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 African Qualifiers opener, but by conceding two straight defeats to Nigeria and rivals Uganda have placed them at the bottom of the Group B standings.
However Mugabe is convinced that Rwanda can spring a surprise back into reckoning in the battle for a place in the next round.
“That Rwanda is currently at the bottom of the table does not mean we’re out of the race for the next round of the African Qualifiers. It is certain that we need to win some games if we must remain in contention and that we will do come June-July,” he told FIBA.basketball.
The 30-year-old notes that the new FIBA Basketball World Cup Qualifiers format provides his country the chance to qualify for the next round.
“Unlike the former format where teams get qualification through FIBA AfroBasket, the new system gives teams a better and brighter opportunity to book a place in the World Cup,” he revealed.
He says the experience so far has been very rewarding and hopes that he can lead the revolution to help Rwanda make it to their first ever World Cup appearance.
“My target is to lead my country to the next round and possibly pick a ticket to the Final Round in China. Such an achievement would go a long way to redefine basketball in Rwanda. We’re focused and would keep our flag flying at the top," he concluded.
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