Cameroon’s Late Surge Stuns Rwanda, Securing Second Win in Heartbreaking Collapse

Rwanda’s heart-wrenching 86-83 loss to Cameroon on Saturday left fans and players alike grappling with frustration and a host of unanswered questions. Despite leading by as much as nine points and dominating much of the game, Rwanda’s failure to close out the match sealed their fate in the AfroBasket 2025 qualifiers. The loss, their fourth in five games, dashed their hopes of securing a spot in the prestigious competition, and left their supporters in Rabat bitterly disappointed.

Rwanda’s shooting performance early in the game was nothing short of impressive, nailing 15 of their 29 three-point attempts through the first three quarters. However, as the game wore on, Cameroon made key adjustments, forcing Rwanda into a cold spell during the final quarter, where they managed only one successful three-pointer from nine attempts. This lack of offensive production allowed Cameroon to claw back into the game, taking advantage of crucial mistakes from Rwanda.

One pivotal moment came when Jean Jacques Nshobozwabyosenumukiza committed an unsportsmanlike foul, enabling Cameroon to retain possession and capitalise on free throws by Jeremiah Hill. Though Rwanda briefly regained a two-point lead, the closing moments saw Cameroon’s Williams Narace and Hill combine for five points, ensuring a nail-biting finish that broke Rwandan hearts.

Cameroon’s resilience paid off, improving their record to 4-1, with Hill and Paul Eboua both contributing double-doubles. Rwanda's inability to manage fouls, especially in the final quarter, further proved costly against a solid free-throw shooting team like Cameroon. With their final game against Senegal approaching, Rwanda’s journey to AfroBasket now hinges on overcoming their persistent mistakes and regrouping after another tough loss.

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