Egypt under-18s overcome Rwanda to stay perfect in AfroBasket qualifying

Egypt’s under-18 basketball team made it two wins from two in their FIBA Africa Zone 5 AfroBasket qualifiers with an 80-71 victory over Rwanda in Cairo on Sunday night.

The hosts, competing at Cairo International Stadium’s Hall 2, tightened their grip on top spot in the regional tournament, which serves as the qualifying event for the FIBA U18 African Championship (AfroBasket U18). The competition runs from 22 to 29 July.

Egypt built an early lead and maintained control for most of the contest, adding to their emphatic opening-round success, a 126-32 win over Tanzania.

They started strongly against Rwanda, taking the first quarter 26-18. Although Rwanda responded in the second period to reduce the deficit, Egypt still went into half-time narrowly in front at 41-39.

The home side reasserted themselves after the interval, stretching their advantage to 62-50 by the end of the third quarter. Rwanda continued to battle in the final period, but Egypt closed out the game to seal an 80-71 win and preserve their perfect start.

AfroBasket qualification at stake

The Zone 5 qualifiers feature six national under-18 teams: hosts Egypt, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda.

Only the team finishing top of the standings will qualify for the AfroBasket U18 finals, scheduled to be held in August in Abidjan, the capital of Ivory Coast.

Tournament organisation

The Egyptian Basketball Federation has appointed its vice president, Tarek El Saeed, to oversee the organisation of the qualifying tournament in Cairo.

All games in the event are being staged at Hall 2 of the Cairo International Stadium complex, with the competition compressed into a single week to determine which nation will claim the region’s sole ticket to the continental championship.