Burundi humble Uganda to move closer to 2023 U16 African Championship qualification 

 

KIGALI (Rwanda) - Barely hours after humiliating Tanzania in their opening FIBA Africa Zone 5 Qualifiers, Burundi were unstoppable as they made easy work of Uganda's Junior Silverbacks to move closer to the dream of qualifying for the 2023 FIBA U16 African Championship in Tunisia.

Andy Aurel emerged the team's go-to man when the Burundians needed baskets and he did not disappoint as he rose for a match-high 30 points and seven rebounds to guide his side to a comfortable 84-69 win.

A second victory for the Aime Didier-led side puts them one foot into the Final Round slated for the Tunisian coastal city of Monastir from 13 to 23 July. 

The two sides were coming off wins on the opening day with Silverbacks having gone 59-56 against hosts Rwanda while the Burundians annihilated Tanzania 86-37. 

Only the first quarter was competitive as both sides came out ready to show their mettle but it was Burundi who had an advantage at 20-18 at the conclusion of the opening quarter.

From then on, it was clear domination for Didier's charges as they scored 24 in the second period against Uganda's 17 to take a nine-point advantage to the half-time break. 

Burundi picked from where they left off the locker rooms with a 25-19 third quarter score that assured them of a 69-54 lead heading to the final period. 

Uganda who had a 15-point mountain to climb in the final stanza had nothing in them to outplay the Burundi side as both sides scored 15 for similar point victory for Burundi who are now almost assured of joining their women counterparts in the Final Round.

Four of Burundi's players, including the top scorer Aurel scored double digits as Bruce Kenny Arakaza contributed 12 while Melvin Nirere and Benit Bethel Bagiteyamahoro combined for 22. 

Uganda's tactician Michael Seger gave his top scorer in the opening match Tejan Joel Rugette only 7.36 minutes on the court, the youngster managing a single point in that time while floor marshal Michael Bono who had bossed the court against Rwanda did not play. 

Harry Tindyebwa was the hero of the day for the Junior Silverbacks scoring 21 in the loss while skipper Amos Mugisha bagged a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds. Emmanuel Ladho and Newton Kayongo were the other top performers for Iganda with 13 and 10 points respectively.

RWANDA v TANZANIA (142-48)

In an earlier match, Tanzania were once again on the receiving end of another huge loss as hosts Rwanda ran rings around the Mohamed Yusuf Mchenga-coached side that curiously had only six players in their squad, leaving them with just one player on the bench.

Up against a wounded Rwanda side that was out to revenge their clutch loss to Burundi on Wednesday, Tanzania stood no chance.

Within  the first five minutes of the clash, Mchenga's boys were trailing 19-4 and from then on there was no question on which side would win.

Rwanda easily won all the quarters for the massive 142-48 victory. 

Props to the Tanzanian youngsters who stayed on the court and played on even when all odds were against them. Four of the six spent more than 35 minutes on the court with their only substitute Michael Malangalila playing 16.49 minutes.

Action concludes on Friday as Uganda play Tanzania while Rwanda face off with Burundi in the final match of the day. 

FIBA