U18 AfroBasket: Kayijuka drops 25 points as Rwanda beats South Africa

Star guard Dylan Kayijuka delivered an outstanding performance, scoring 25 points to lead Rwanda to a commanding 81-64 victory over South Africa in the 2024 FIBA Africa Men’s U18 Basketball Championship on Tuesday at the University of Pretoria.

His compatriot Sean Mwesigwa added 22 points, while Jayden Rushema contributed 11, helping Rwanda secure their first win in the tournament. Yves Murenzi’s team started strong, dominating the first two quarters with scores of 24-12 and 26-17, giving them a comfortable 50-29 lead at half-time.

Although South Africa made a spirited attempt to make a comeback in the second half, winning the third quarter 15-13 and the final quarter 20-18, it wasn't enough to overcome Rwanda. Head coach Yves Murenzi expressed his satisfaction with the team's performance, emphasizing the importance of defence in their strategy.

“Our plan for this tournament revolves around a strong emphasis on defence. We've structured our training and preparation to ensure that every player understands the critical role defence plays in winning championships," coach Yves Murenzi stated.

Rwanda is competing in Group C alongside Morocco, host South Africa, and Zambia. The finalists of the FIBA U18 Men's AfroBasket 2024 will earn the opportunity to represent Africa at the 2025 FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup in Czechia.

Rwanda's next game is against Morocco on Thursday.

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[Photography / Imagery Courtesy of FIBA]