Africa Women's Basketball League Team Preview: REG

A Statement of Intent to Win the First Ever Africa Women’s Basketball League

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Historically, Rwandan Energy Group, REG, stands out as one of Africa's leading professional basketball clubs, demonstrating remarkable success across their men's and women's programmes. 

As one of the top basketball teams on the continent, REG has achieved almost unparalleled excellence, making them a powerhouse in African basketball. As a result, the Kigali-based team enters every new season and tournament with an added level of fan pressure and expectancy that most basketball clubs never get a chance to experience. They are, quite frankly, the victims of their success, but no one, especially not their rivals, feels sorry for them. 

That’s why it was an absolute shock to the system, for their fans and critics alike, when REG lost and was dominated in the highly anticipated final of the Africa Women Basketball League (AWBL) FIBA ZoneFive qualifiers, 87-53. That loss came at the hands of regional rivals KenyaPorts Authority (KPA), who compete for regional supremacy almost every season along with Armee Patriotique du Rwanda (APR).

Still reeling from the loss, head coach Esperance Mukaneza and the REG front office went into the open marketplace and made two huge signings as an official statement of intent to the rest of the teams in the AWBL. These singings were in the form of African-American WNBA stars Tiffany Mitchell and Nia Clouden. 

“[Signing for REG] was a good opportunity [for me]. This is my first time playing in Africa, and this was a good opportunity for me to see how they play in another part of the world, as I’ve only played in Europe [outside of the WNBA].” Mitchell said about playing in the AWBL.

“[Signing for REG] was a good opportunity [for me]. This is my first time playing in Africa, and this was a good opportunity for me to see how they play in another part of the world, as I’ve only played in Europe [outside of the WNBA].” Mitchell said about playing in the AWBL.

Clouden, a Baltimore, Maryland native, also expressed her excitement and curiosity about applying her skills on the courts of the motherland:

“I’ve never been to Africa, Rwanda, or Egypt, so to be able to come here and play basketball was a great opportunity for me. Not only to play basketball but also to experience new things.”

Although the two WNBA signings caused significant ripples across the basketball landscape, the rest of the REG squad is complete with African stars in their own right. 

REG boasts five players who were key contributors to the sensational Rwanda national team. Despite their exceptional performance, the team narrowly missed the bronze medal, facing a tough defeat with a score of 89-52 against Mali in the 2023 FIBA Women's AfroBasket, a tournament hosted in the vibrant city of Kigali.

Among these standout players are the sharpshooting Micomyiza "Cisse" Rosine, the skilled playmaker Mwizerwa Fautine, the talented shooting guard Kiyobe Chantal, the versatile forward Mushikiwabo Sandrine, and the dominant center Rutagengwa Nadine.

REG, known for their resilient spirit, is gearing up to not only participate in the AWBL but also to win the inaugural championships. With a proud identity as winners, they are poised to showcase their capabilities against the best teams in Africa. 

Stay tuned as REG takes on the challenge, aiming to demonstrate their prowess and significantly impact the AWBL stage.

[Image/Photography Credit: FIBA]