KIGALI (Rwanda) - The hosts, Rwanda, opened their 2025 FIBA U16 Women’s AfroBasket campaign on Monday afternoon at the Petit Stade in Kigali with a 60-41 victory over a spirited Tanzania side.
It was a game of swings. Rwanda dominated the first quarter and appeared to be in control, but Tanzania responded with an impressive 16-0 run in the second period.
However, when the pressure was at its highest, Rwanda regrouped and delivered a dominant second-half performance, making it clear that they mean business on home soil.
From the opening tip, Rwanda made their intentions clear. With the crowd behind them, the hosts jumped to a quick 4-0 lead and built a comfortable 14-3 cushion by the end of the first quarter. Their energy, rebounding, and inside presence seemed to overwhelm Tanzania early on.
Yet, the game took a dramatic turn in the second quarter. Tanzania’s captain, Rose Katamboy, took matters into her own hands. She scored freely and inspired her teammates on both ends of the floor.
Backed by Inoth Mage’s long-range shooting, Tanzania silenced the arena with a 16-0 run that flipped the script completely. For nearly ten minutes, Rwanda could not find the basket and headed into halftime trailing 19-14.
“I told the girls that we needed to play strong defense and not panic,” Rwanda head coach Joseline Munyaneza explained after the game. "We adjusted accordingly, and once we did that, we were able to run again."
The response was immediate. Rwanda tightened their defense, closed down Katamboy’s space, and began to dominate on the court.
Led by the powerful trio of Alpha Rebecca Ishimwe, Atete Laissa Ndaruhutse, and Chalva Kaylia Gaju, the hosts exploded for 26 points in the third quarter alone.
They outscored Tanzania by 15, reclaiming a double-digit lead at 40–30 heading into the final period.
From there, Rwanda never looked back. They continued to dominate Tanzania in the paint and on the boards, extending their lead to 19 points by the final buzzer.
Ishimwe was a force of nature, collecting 15 points and a tournament-high 20 rebounds. Ndaruhutse added 17 points and 15 rebounds, and Gaju contributed 13 points and 13 rebounds, completing a trio of double-doubles.
Despite the loss, Tanzania had bright spots of their own. Katamboy finished with a game-high 19 points and six rebounds, demonstrating leadership throughout. Mage contributed 11 points and five rebounds.
The numbers highlighted Rwanda’s superiority inside. They outrebounded Tanzania 74–46, including 36 offensive rebounds that created second-chance opportunities galore.
Although Tanzania capitalized better on turnovers, Rwanda’s relentless rebounding and physicality proved decisive.
With this opening win, Rwanda takes an important first step in group phase play. Meanwhile, Tanzania will look to regroup quickly and build on their encouraging second-quarter performance.
FIBA