RWA - Zone 5 Africa Nations qualifiers starts in Kigali today

KIGALI (Africa Nations Cup Zone Five qualifiers) - The Africa Nations Cup Zone Five qualifiers gets underway at the Amahoro Petit Stadium Kigali, Rwanda today.

The hosts are expected to step onto the podium against opponents of their choices. Just over two years ago, at the same venue, Kenya paraded her teams for the All Africa qualifiers and it was the women who made it while the men crushed out.

Today, the scenario and the opponents are very much the same. Barring any total collapse, the women will be there without breaking a sweat while the men- if they do better, will be third behind Egypt and Rwanda.

Despite having only a few days of serious training, the teams that departed by road to Rwanda on Sunday afternoon were optimistic that they would do well in the five day tournament

Professional Peter Kiganya, who plays in Paraguay will lead the charges in the men while long serving Caroline "Majeng" Achieng will captain the ladies side.

At the end of the show on Saturday, the top two nations will represent the zone in the Africa Nations Championships for men in Libya and for women in Madagascar latter this year.

Anastasia Njeri, earlier dropped, finally made the side and the team will rely on the experience of Achieng, Mjomba, Brenda Odula, Yvonne Akinyi and Hilda Indasi.

The main players in the men's side will be Kiganya, Dan Okwirri, JP Nyadaro, Yoni Wanambiro and Patrick Kirui as they have played at the top level and have the necessary experience.

Tobias Onyango, the vice captain and his back court mate Victor Odendo, who led KCB Lions to their back to back league title late last year will be another duo to watch in these games.

Besides, Rwanda and Egypt, the five day tournament has attracted regional nations like Uganda, Ethiopia and Burundi. Tanzania, Somalia, Eritrea and Ethiopia reportedly pulled out.

Rwanda is counting on Hamza Ruhezamihigo who is based in Canada and plays for Concordia. He is expected to team up well with center Robert Thomson who arrived from Romania and Wilfred Nyandwi from the USA.

Ruhezamihigo, who operates as a shooting guard was a crowd pleaser and was named the Most Valuable Player during the 2007 show won by Egypt. With the bog crowd behind the, the home side should be a tougher kill this time round.

Uganda will bank on their Seychelles based pro Steve Omwony who plays for PLS Hawks, Former Sprite Storms guard Norman Blick who came back from UK and local hero Henry Malinga. It will be their first ever big tournament.

Dann OWERE
FIBA Africa