REG confident in title chances after perfect campaign in Group Phase

 

ALEXANDRIA (Egypt) - Coach Esperance Mukaneza led her side, Rwanda Energy Group (REG) to a 96-65 win over ASPAC of Benin for a 4-0 clean slate in group B at the ongoing Africa Women's Basketball League (AWBL).

REG opened their campaign with an 86-45 victory over Cameroon's Overdose Up Station on the first day before stunning one of the tournament favourites Inter Clube of Angola 96-89. 

There was no stopping for Mukabeza's charges after that statement win as they humbled Equity Bank Hawks 84-50 in the third match before finishing their group action with yet another comfortable win over Benin the champions. ASPAC 96-65.

WNBA import Tiffany Mitchell and Destiney Promise Philoxy, who have been key for REG, combined for 42 points, with the latter scoring 22 in the win over ASPAC.  The other WNBA star Nia Clouden contributed 16. points.

With such a run, Mukaneza, a former Rwanda national team player, believes they can go all the way, but in a quick rejoinder admits it will not be an easy ride to the top.

"We came here ready for the win as that would give us an easier matchup in the quarters and I am happy that the players remained focused and we achieved that. I got to field the bench players more today and they performed well," the tactician offered.

With the focus having shifted to the knock-out stages, Mukaneza says there is still room for improvement. 

"We have work to do before the next phase. The upcoming matches will get tougher. We have to review footage and correct what needs to while also scouting the opponent," Mukaneza explained.

"After such a run, the expectations for us are higher and we want to go all the way and win the title match so we have to prepare well," the coach admitted. 

Her sentiments were echoed by Clouden who says it was difficult to play four days in a row and it took resilience to show up for each game, adding that they will carry the same to the knockout stages. 

"I don't think anything about this tournament is going to be easy. We have played some good teams and there are more in the other group we are yet to meet. However, I think we are capable as long as we play together and play hard," Clouden said. 

Meanwhile, ASPAC, who have been on a 0-3 run, will be looking to save their blushes and give themselves an opportunity to make it to the Last Eight when they play Inter Clube in the final group match on Friday.

The Landry Adognon-coached side lost their opening match 87-69 to Equity Bank of Kenya before going down 77-52 to Overdose Up Station. The loss to REG on the penultimate day of the Group Phase leaves them winless with an almost impossible mission of beating the star-studded Angolan side. 

FIBA