RWA - Rwanda in Abidjan to improve in Africa rankings

ABIDJAN (AfroBasket/FIBA Basketball World Cup) - Since Rwanda first played at an AfroBasket tournament in 2007, they have never hidden their desire to improve their position in the competition rankings.

A ninth-place finish in 2009 was their most famous accomplishment in the championship, but when they accepted a wildcard invitation to take part at AfroBasket 2013 in Abidjan - and battle for Africa's three spots for the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup - they thought it was a chance to end with the roller coaster cycle of producing results and growing.

On Wednesday, Rwanda opened their campaign in Cote d'Ivoire's capital city with an comprehensive 80-61 win over debutants Burkina Faso.

Two days later, they could not stop a highly-motivated Morocco team as they fell 87-57.

But Hamza Ruhezamihigo - the only player in the current Rwandese squad who has participated in all AfroBaskets since 2007 - believes there is hope.

"We want to make it to the top eight and we are taking it game to game," he told FIBA.com.

Although he considers Rwanda's basketball achievements as a roller coaster, the Canada-based forward could not be more confident in the future of the national team.

"We have some guys on the team who are stepping up, like Aristide Mugabe, Olivier Shyaka and Patrice Twagirayezu.

"We have a group of talented young players and basketball's future in Rwanda is promising."

Even the emblematic American-born Robert Thomson - who featured for Rwanda in three AfroBaskets - "is supporting the team from where he is," said Ruhezamihigo.

But, in Game 2 of Group B, Rwanda could not cope with a Morocco team angry for success.

The Moroccans led by as many as 34 points.

Ruhezamihigo finished scoreless in 19 minutes and was the first to acknowledge that he needs to "to step up" his game.

"I was not in the game at all. It was a really bad game on a personal level," he said following Friday's defeat.

"That is how it is in basketball. You have to bounce back.

"Two days ago I played good, today I played bad. Next game I have to play good as I have no choice.

"Morocco is a good team and they maintained their level. We made a little push, but their level of play increased every time.

"It's tough to beat a team like that," Ruhezamihigo explained.

There is a long way to go to find out if Rwanda have really improved in the tournament, as they are still to play Tunisia and play in the Eighth-Finals.

For full and in-depth coverage of AfroBasket 2013, go to the official website http://abidjan2013.fibaafrica.com/.

FIBA