Following their dominant performance in the Rwandan Women’s Basketball League, both REG Women’s Basketball Club and APR were selected to represent Rwanda in the Zone 5 Test Tournament. This tournament served as a crucial qualifier for the FIBA Women’s African Basketball League (WABL).
The tournament kicked off on December 6, 2024, with 12 teams competing in Dakar, Senegal. This marks the second year of the WABL, with Cairo hosting the inaugural event in 2023.
With the finals set for December 15, 2024, the tournament has been filled with exciting matches, particularly those involving REG, a team hailing from the “Land of a Thousand Hills,” Rwanda.
Ferroviario de Maputo of Mozambique gave REG a tough start, narrowly losing 78-74. However, REG bounced back strongly, defeating Makomeno ASB of Ivory Coast by a decisive margin of 83-51. They sealed their qualification for the quarterfinals with a 65-52 victory over the host team, Senegal’s Jeanne d’Arc.
The APR Women’s basketball club, also known as the Lionesses, have dominated the group stage, securing impressive victories over CNNS Basketball Club of DR Congo (73-68) and the reigning champions, Alexandria Sporting Club of Egypt (74-72). Their only loss came against Ivory Coast’s Friends Basketball Association (55-63).
With recent high-profile signings like Kierstan Bell, Italee Lucas, and Shaina Pellington, APR is considered a strong contender to lift the trophy.
The quarterfinals are set for December 13, 2024, with APR facing Friends Basketball Association and REG taking on ASC Ville de Dakar.
Photos
