MOÇÂMEDES (Angola) - Rwanda did many things right in their first 2025 AfroBasket game but a number of unnecessary errors resulted in a painful 78-70 loss to Cote d'Ivoire.
At times, it seemed as if Rwanda would pull off another shocking result in Mocamedes after Guinea stunned South Sudan on Tuesday. However, in the end, Rwanda coach Cheikh Sarr took the blame for the loss.
Côte d'Ivoire played sluggishly for most of the game, but fearing an embarrassing loss for a team often rated as a title contender, they played aggressively in the final ten minutes. This secured their first AfroBasket victory since losing to Tunisia in the 2021 AfroBasket final.
Assemian Moulare, Matt Costello, and Jean Philippe Dally combined for 42 points for Côte d'Ivoire. Guard Ntore Habimana, one of two Rwandan players to score in double figures alongside Hason Devere Ward, finished with 18 points.
Rwanda's promising start to the 2025 AfroBasket left them with food for thought.
However, Côte d'Ivoire admitted that being highly ranked means nothing in a tournament of this caliber.
TURNING POINT: There was a certain degree of uncertainty for most of the game. However, when Solo Diabate sank a three-pointer, giving the Ivorians a 63-62 lead with 6:47 left, Rwanda began to lose control of the game.
Williams Robeyns sank a three-pointer, cutting the Rwandan deficit to three points (70-67). However, Rwanda's sloppy plays in the final quarter, during which they turned the ball over six times, definitely cost them the game.
A technical foul on Rwandan coach Cheikh Sarr with two minutes left gave Côte d'Ivoire a bonus free throw, and the game was over.
Rwanda's last three-pointer, which came in the final seconds of the game, was too little, too late, though it cut their losing margin to just eight points (78-70).
HERO: Matt Costello, of course! The American-Ivorian gave it his all, contributing on both ends of the floor. With 12 points, 11 rebounds, six assists, two steals, and two blocked shots, he reminded everyone of his impactful presence in the Ivorians' rotation.
STATS DON'T LIE: Côte d'Ivoire wasn't brilliant by any stretch, but Rwanda's 26 turnovers were the main reason they won.
Throughout the game, Rwanda and Côte d'Ivoire traded blows and leads, but the Ivorians' 23 points off turnovers told the story of the game.
BOTTOM LINE: The Rwanda vs. Côte d'Ivoire matchup was a clear reminder of how competitive this AfroBasket tournament is.
The second-ranked team in Africa faced several challenges against a team that few expected to succeed in the tournament.
If not for Rwanda's self-inflicted mistakes and lack of focus at critical moments, Côte d'Ivoire would have started the 2025 AfroBasket with a loss. However, the game turned out to be a learning experience for both teams.
While it was far from an attractive game, the better team won.
WHAT THEY SAID: "They pressured us down the stretch, and we didn't adjust properly. We let them play. We need to play with more energy and aggression. Me fouling out is unacceptable. I have to be available for my team when they need me. Twenty-six turnovers is unacceptable. We are going to lock in for our next game and make those adjustments." - Rwanda guard Ntore Habimana.
"We struggled to find our rhythm in the first half, perhaps because it was our first game in the tournament. We played more aggressively in the second half and executed a little better." - Côte d'Ivoire guard Assemian Moulare.