RWANDA : Espoir face CSK in close contest

BY JULIUS MBARAGA

Today
Espoir v CSK 6pm (Amahoro)

Saturday
Marine v KIE 11am
APR v UNR 10am
UGB v Rusizi (noon)

Sunday
CSK v Rusizi 9am
Espoir v UNR 11am
UGB v KIE 11am
Marine v APR 11am (Rubavu)

Women
ISAE v APR 11am
KIE v UNR 11am

IT is expected to be a close game when 2004 champions Espoir clash with CSK this evening at Amahoro. Both sides are coming into the fold after recording big wins last weekend.

Espoir shook off a humiliating defeat against APR with an 84-54 victory over UGB while it was a walk in the pack for CSK as they thumped National University of Rwanda (UNR) 79-55 to record their third victory in the National Basketball League.

Both sides have also dropped points against Marine and reigning champions APR, the only sides still unbeaten in the league.

CSK are meanwhile expected to struggle to fill the void left by their star player Gerol Ndugu.

The shooting forward who can also be utilized in the two-man position joined APR early this week on a free transfer and is expected to walk into Cliff Owuor’s starting team tomorrow when APR host UNR at Primature.
“He was a good player but we can cope without him,” a close source to CSK said.
Aboubacar Barame will skipper Marine.
The climax is however expected this Sunday when APR’s Indomitable Lions clash with Marine. The bitter rivals are still unbeaten in the league and Sunday’s winner is expected to go top of the table.

It will also be an emotional game for Marine’s duo Aboubacar Barame and Gedeka Bunene Kajeguhakwa as they play against the hand that once fed them. With an array of stars on both sides, it’s a must watch game for local basketball fans.

The women’s league also throws off this Sunday with two games on cards. ISAE host APR while KIE entertain UNR.