Rwanda’s national basketball team stumbled in its opening game of the FIBA 2027 World Cup African Qualifiers, falling 82–70 to Guinea in Window 1.
The matchup, played on Thursday night, November 27, 2025, at the Salle Multidisciplinaire Arena in Radès, Tunisia, kicked off the action in Group C.
Both teams started with energy, trading basket for basket as Steven Hagumintwari and Shannon Evans energized their respective sides. The first quarter closed evenly at 18–18.
Guinea returned for the second quarter with renewed intensity. Led by Souleymane Boum Jr. and Ousmane Araphan, they widened the gap while Rwanda struggled with turnovers and missed free throws. Rwanda managed only 12 points against Guinea’s 26, sending the halftime score to 44–30 in favor of Guinea.
Rwanda showed more fight in the third quarter, with David McCormack and Dieudonné Ndizeye pushing to narrow the deficit. But Guinea, propelled by the unstoppable Shannon Evans, refused to loosen its grip. The quarter ended 62–47 with Guinea still in command.
In the final period, Rwanda battled to claw back, boosted by McCormack and Chandelier Twizeyimama. Yet Guinea continued to capitalize through Ousmane Araphan Kaba and Mohamed Queta, sealing an 82–70 victory.
Evans led all scorers with 27 points for Guinea. Ndizeye and Hagumintwari topped Rwanda’s tally with 18 points apiece.
Elsewhere in the group, hosts Tunisia delighted home fans with an 88–78 win over Nigeria, driven by an outstanding performance from Omar Arada, who posted 29 points, 4 rebounds and 5 assists.
Rwanda returns to action on Saturday, November 29, against Tunisia, before wrapping up the window on November 30 with a clash against Nigeria.
The 2027 FIBA World Cup will be held in Qatar from August 27 to September 12, 2027.