Patriots Name Munyandamutsa Head Coach Ahead of the New RBL Season

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January 23, 2025

Patriots Basketball Club has promoted Sunny Munyandamutsa Niyomugabo to Head Coach, succeeding Henry Mwinuka, to lead the team in the Rwanda Basketball League (RBL) starting this Friday.

Munyandamutsa, 33, has been part of the Patriots since their inception in 2014, serving as the club’s first captain. According to the club’s statement, he exemplifies the values of the Patriots, making him the ideal candidate to transition from captain to assistant coach and now head coach.

PATRIOTS NATION: We have a new Head Coach. SUNNY NIYOMUGABO.🏀

Coach Sunny, has been a pivotal figure in Patriots Basketball Club since day one. As Head Coach, he brings Passion, commitment, discipline and vision to the team. Join us in welcoming him.👇#TuriPatriots pic.twitter.com/JYvpU3A35m

— Patriots Basketball Club (@PatriotsBBCrw) January 23, 2025

The new head coach has extensive experience in the RBL, having won the 2010–11 league title with KBC before moving to APR in 2012. After three seasons with APR, he joined the Patriots during their inaugural season in 2014, where his leadership earned him the captaincy.

In 2016, he joined IPRC South, leading them to a historic RBL playoff title—the last team outside Kigali to win either the league or playoffs. Munyandamutsa returned to the Patriots in 2017 as a player and took on coaching duties as a player-coach in 2019.

From 2018, Patriots BBC and Munyandamutsa won three consecutive league titles.

This promotion makes him the second local coach to lead the Patriots, after Cyrille Karima, who coached the team from 2014 to 2015 while Munyandamutsa was captain.

Munyandamutsa succeeds Henry Mwinuka, under whom the Patriots finished second in the RBL last season, behind APR, and fans expect him to reclaim the league title, which the Patriots last won in 2020.

Munyandamutsa has been actively preparing the team during the offseason, overseeing preseason training at Kimironko Sports and Community Space.

He will make his head coaching debut this Friday in the league opener against Azomco.

Here’s a list of all-time head coaches for Patriots BBC :

1. Cyrille Karima 🇷🇼 (2014-2015)
2. Henry Mwinuka 🇹🇿 (2016-2019)
3. Carey Odhiambo 🇰🇪 (2019-2020)
4. Dean Murray 🇺🇸 (2020-2021)
5. Bernard Oluoch 🇰🇪 (March 2021 – April 2021)
6. Alan Major 🇺🇸 (April 2021 – May 2021)
7. Ogolla Benson 🇰🇪 (2021-2022)
8. Henry Mwinuka 🇹🇿 (2023-2024)
9. Sunny Munyandamutsa 🇷🇼 (2025 – Present)

Rwanda Basketball League 2025 Tips Off This Friday.

By

Evode Munyeshuri

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January 22, 2025

The Rwanda Basketball League 2025 will begin on Friday, January 24, with 8 teams starting their quest to dethrone the back-to-back defending champions, APR, in the men’s category, while REG Women will be aiming for their 4th title since 2021.

The Rwanda Basketball League will tip off the 2025 season this Friday at LDK Gymnasium, with only 9 teams in the men’s category following Flame’s failure to meet the financial criteria set by the league regulator for top-flight teams.

Flame, promoted from Division 2 last season and made up mostly of youth players, focuses on development rather than competition.

The Federation chose not to replace them, leaving 9 teams to compete for the league crown.On the way to professionalizing the Rwanda Basketball League, teams must provide proof of 100 million Rwandan francs or a verified funding source to register players. Failure to do so will result in demotion to a lower league.

The Rwanda Basketball League, one of the most competitive basketball leagues in Africa, will tip off the 2025 season with 8 teams: Patriots, REG BBC, Kepler, Espoir BBC, Orion, UGB, Azomco, and Tigers, all vying to end APR’s two years of league dominance.

The back-to-back defending champions and league record holders (15 titles), APR Basketball Club, will begin their campaign against Orion, not Flame, as previously reported.

The army side is poised to challenge the 8 other clubs seriously, having retained its key players and added some of the best in the league, including Antino Jackson Alvalezes, to strengthen the roster as they will also compete in the 2025 Basketball Africa League (BAL).

Last season’s runners-up, the Patriots, will face the newly promoted Azomco in the opening game on Friday at 6 p.m. at Lycée de Kigali Gymnasium (LDK).

FERWABA scheduled most games at LDK, with the regular season set to end on June 29. As usual, the crucial games will take place at the season’s tail end.

In the women’s category, Rwanda Energy Group (REG), the three-time champion and reigning champion, will begin their quest for a fourth title since the club’s inception in 2021.

The Super Cup winners will play UR Huye on Saturday at 1 p.m. in the league opener, and their main competition this season is expected to come from APR, their long-time rivals.

APR WBBC will play UR Kigali two hours after the REG-UR Huye game, with both games scheduled at LDK.

For the first time in Rwanda Basketball League history, a record 11 teams will compete in the women’s category: APR, REG, Kepler, The Hoops, UR Kigali, UR Huye, IPRC Huye, GS Marie Reine, GS Gahini, Azomco, and EAUR.

This is the largest number of teams in the women’s league, surpassing the 9 teams in the men’s category.

Rwanda Volleyball: RRA and Police Open Second Phase with Wins, Maintain Unbeaten Streaks.

By

Evode Munyeshuri

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January 18, 2025

RRA easily defeated Kepler in straight sets to open the second phase of the Rwanda Volleyball National League on a high note. Police similarly stunned REG with a 3-0 win, enabling both teams to maintain their unbeaten records and remain at the top of the league.

The second phase of the Rwanda Volleyball National League served off on Friday, January 17, with the league leaders maintaining their perfect records.

Rwanda Revenue Authority (RRA) defeated Kepler 3-0 in a fast-paced match that lasted 1 hour and 16 minutes at the Petit Stade. The victory was a repeat of their dominant performance in the first leg of the league, where they also beat Kepler 3-0.

Coach Elie Mutabazi’s RRA started strongly, with receiver-attacker Oliva Nzamukosha and setter Jennifer Tembo forming a solid connection, and the combination helped RRA dominate the first set 25-17.

Nzamukosha and her teammates kept up the momentum, effectively neutralizing Kepler’s Binta Fatoumata, a key threat. RRA clinched the second set 25-18.

In the third set, Nigerian international and right attacker for RRA, Elizabeth Ijeoma, who had started slowly, took control and led RRA to a commanding 25-16 victory, securing all three points.

RRA leads with 22 points (8-0), while Kepler is 4th with 12 points (4-4).

In the day’s second match, unbeaten Police VC faced second-placed REG VC. Police also triumphed in straight sets, keeping their flawless record intact.

The victory keeps them on top of the men’s standings with an 8-0 record. Police VC’s next challenge will come on January 24, when they face APR at the Petit Stade.

APR BBC and REG WBBC Claim Inaugural Rwanda Super Cup Titles Ahead of New Season

By

Evode Munyeshuri

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January 18, 2025

The reigning champions, APR Basketball Club and REG Women’s Basketball Club, claimed the maiden Rwanda Super Cup, signaling their determination to defend their league titles as the new championship tips off in one week.

On January 17, the first-ever Rwanda Super Cup saw the league champion face the Rwanda Cup winner to mark the beginning of the new basketball season in both the men’s and women’s categories.

In the men’s game, APR extended their dominance over Rwanda Energy Group (REG), securing a 73-53 win.

Aliou Diarra led the charge with a 19-point, 14-rebound double-double, while Israel Otobo’s competitive debut ended prematurely due to a knee injury.

The 2.03-meter Nigerian center remained on the bench for treatment and, after the game, received his medal in a wheelchair, surrounded by his teammates.

Despite Otobo’s injury, APR’s performance remained strong, with Osborn Shema and Diarra stepping up against an unfit Francis Azolipe, who was making his REG debut.

APR’s win over REG emphasizes the Army team’s dominance over the electricians, as they beat them in every competition they met in last season, including a 3-0 sweep in the playoffs, which paved their way to the finals.

In the women’s category, Lamla Umunezero’s 20 points led REG to a 76-64 upset over APR, securing their first trophy of 2025.

REG has dominated APR in this category, having defeated them in a one-sided seven-game final series to win the RBL 2024 title, outscoring them in the FIBA WBLA Zonal Qualifiers, and now triumphing in the Rwanda Super Cup.

The two games, played at BK Arena on Friday night, revealed that both teams still lack fitness ahead of the championship, which will tip off in one week.

APR BBC and REG WBBC will begin their quests to defend their league titles on Friday and Saturday, respectively, against Flame and UR.

Photos: Innocent Shema

APR and REG Teams to Compete for Maiden Super Cup.

By

Evode Munyeshuri

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January 14, 2025

APR and REG, in both the men’s and women’s categories, will face off this Friday, January 17, competing for the first-ever Super Cup, which marks the start of the 2025 basketball season in Rwanda.

Kigali’s BK Arena will host the Rwanda Super Cup on Friday night to tip off the new basketball season.

The Super Cup, one of the General Assembly resolutions, will, starting this year, pit the league champion against the Rwanda Cup winner to mark the beginning of the new season in both the men’s and women’s categories.

APR Basketball Club claimed the league title and clinched the inaugural Rwanda Cup in the men’s category. They will face REG BBC, the Rwanda Cup finalist, as per the competition’s rules.

On their way to last season’s title, APR swept past REG 4-0, setting up finals against the Patriots, where they triumphed 4-2 to defend their crown. Will the Super Cup be the electricians’ opportunity for revenge?

In the women’s category, the rivalry will resume as the reigning league champions, REG Women BBC, will take on APR Women BBC, the Rwanda Cup winners. The two teams faced off multiple times at the end of last year, with Rwanda Energy Group prevailing each time.

REG swept APR 4-0 to claim the 2024 RBL title and went on to defeat them again in Zanzibar during the FIBA WBLA Zonal Qualifiers. However, APR’s bronze medal at the FIBA WBLA in Dakar will inspire them to challenge REG’s in the Super Cup ahead of new season.

The women’s game is set to tip off at 6:30 p.m., followed by the men’s clash at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are available for purchase at www.ticqet.rw.

The Rwanda Basketball League will officially be launched on January 24, one week after the Super Cup.

Excitement Builds as Rwanda Volleyball League Second Phase Serves Off This Friday.

By

Evode Munyeshuri

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January 14, 2025

The second phase of the Rwanda Volleyball National League begins on Friday, January 17, at Petit Stade, with Police VC and RRA seeking to preserve their perfect records in both the men’s and women’s categories.

After a month-long break for the festive season and the first leg break, the volleyball action shifts from sand to indoor courts as teams resume their journey toward the Rwanda Volleyball League 2024-25 title.

Fred Musoni’s police team finished the first phase unbeaten, with seven victories, and will start the second phase against REG VC—the same opponent they faced in the league opener.

Rwanda National Police Volleyball Club triumphed over REG in a straight-sets match lasting 1:09:11, marking a stylish start to the 2024/2025 league season. This dominant victory motivated them to outshine the other six teams and finish the first leg in pole position.

FRVB scheduled this highly anticipated match for 7:00 PM, with REG—who finished second after the first leg—seeking to bounce back from a 3-0 loss in the opening round
If they fail to respond, they could suffer a double defeat against a direct title contender in the regular season.

Before the Police-REG clash, Rwanda Revenue Authority will face Kepler WVC at 5:00 PM. The tax collectors are currently at the top of the women’s standings with a perfect 7-0 record from the first leg.

Elie Mutabazi’s RRA will continue pursuing the league title, which the team last won in 2023, as they face the league debutants. Despite a narrow 3-0 loss (25-22, 25-21, 25-22) to RRA in a closely contested first-leg match, Kepler has shown strong competitiveness in their debut season.

Kepler finished fourth in the first leg, a position that guarantees a playoff berth if they maintain it through the end of the regular season.

The Rwanda Volleyball National League 2024-25 season features 8 teams in each category, and the top four teams will advance to the playoffs to determine the league champions.

RPL: Mukura and Amagaju Stand Tall in Huye, Toppling APR and Rayon Sports.

By

Evode Munyeshuri

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January 12, 2025

The highly anticipated Rwanda Premier League (RPL) Match Day 15 doubleheader in Huye District, which marked the climax of the first leg, saw Mukura and Amagaju defend their home turf and claim bragging rights by overcoming league powerhouses Rayon Sports and APR.

Amagaju FC shocked APR FC 1-0, a day after Mukura Victory Sports stunned league leaders Rayon Sports 2-1, both matches held at Huye Stadium.

Mukura Victory Sports ended Rayon Sports’ unbeaten run in the 2024-25 RPL season, stopping it at 14 games with a thrilling encounter.

Jordan Dimbumba opened the scoring in the 39th minute, and Fred Niyonizeye doubled the Yellow and Blacks’ lead three minutes later, giving the home team a 2-0 advantage at halftime.

RPL — Two first-half goals helped Mukura bring an end to Rayon Sports’ unbeaten run

Fall Ngagne pulled one back for Rayon Sports eight minutes into the second half with a penalty, but the resilient Mukura held on until the 90th minute, despite the pressure from Rayon Sports fans who filled Huye Stadium.

The final 2-1 result in favor of Mukura set the stage for the eagerly anticipated Sunday matchup between Amagaju and APR to conclude Match Day 15 of the first leg.

What goes around comes around: While APR fans were still celebrating Mukura’s victory, Amagaju added more drama to the weekend by defeating APR 1-0, thanks to Eduard Ndayishimiye’s 56th-minute goal.

The standings at the top remained unchanged, with Rayon Sports finishing the first leg with 36 points, 5 points clear of second-placed APR. Mukura and Amagaju sat in 7th and 8th positions, respectively, with both teams having 21 points each.

The Huye district enjoyed a vibrant three-day extra-football atmosphere, with parties and celebrations extending beyond the matches and local businesses such as restaurants, bars, and hotels experiencing high demand from Friday evening through Sunday.

The RPL second leg is scheduled to begin in early February, contingent upon the national team’s participation in the CHAN tournament.

RPL Adjusts Mukura-Rayon Sports Kickoff to 5 p.m.

By

Evode Munyeshuri

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January 8, 2025

The Rwanda Premier League (RPL) has approved Mukura’s request to reschedule their fixture against Rayon Sports to Saturday, January 11, at 5 p.m. at Huye Stadium.

The Rwanda Premier League released a statement this Tuesday regarding the Matchday 15 fixture between Mukura Victory Sports and Rayon Sports.

In the statement, RPL addressed recent speculation about the kickoff time and confirmed that they had received and approved Mukura’s request to shift the kickoff to 5 p.m.

ITANGAZO#RwandaPremierLeague #RPL pic.twitter.com/UNH8GK2DXu

— Rwanda Premier League (@RwandaLeague) January 7, 2025

The Mukura versus Rayon Sports match is one of the most anticipated fixtures of RPL Matchday 15, as the Blues travel to the Southern Province to maintain their unbeaten run and continue their pursuit of league glory, which has eluded them since 2019.

Mukura once halted APR’s longest unbeaten run and is poised to present a tough challenge to the Blues, potentially stopping their current form. The two teams share a longstanding and friendly rivalry, with both enjoying significant fan bases in the Southern Province.

The Yellow and Blacks currently sit in 8th position with 18 points, half of Rayon Sports’ 36 points at the top of the table.

The matchup is one of the most-watched matches in the Rwanda Premier League. As of the time of publishing, Huye-based Mukura has announced that fans have already booked 81% of VVIP, 42% of VIP, 28% of regular, and 42% of general seats, meaning that ticket buyers have reserved 41% of the total seats at Huye Stadium just 76 hours before kickoff.

Huye District will be the epicenter of Rwanda Premier League action this weekend, as the second-placed APR will also face Amagaju on Sunday at the same venue.

Beach Volleyball: Paul Akan and Jahara Koita Halt the Long-Dominant Pair of Ntagengwa and Kavalo.

By

Evode Munyeshuri

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January 6, 2025

The second phase of the Rwanda Beach Volleyball National Tour saw a remarkable upset as Paul Akan from Ghana and Jahara Koita from Gambia halted the long-time dominance of the pair Olivier Ntagengwa and Patrick Kavalo Akumuntu. Meanwhile, in the women’s category, Munezero and Benitha’s consistent performance went uninterrupted.

Volleyball enthusiasts flocked to King Fisher Resort in Rwesero for the first weekend of 2025, where a Ghanaian-Gambian duo triumphed in the Rwanda Beach Volleyball National Tour Phase 2.

Ghanaian Paul Akan, a regular partner of Prince Kanamugire, switched partners to join Gambian Jahara Koita, forming a strengthened duo to challenge Rwanda’s dominant beach volleyball pair of Ntagengwa and Kavalo.

The exciting three-day event that attracted 22 pairs culminated on Sunday, January 5, with a thrilling final. Akan and Koita defeated Ntagengwa and Kavalo in straight sets (21-15, 21-19) to claim the gold medals.

Meanwhile, Mandela Nzirimo and Revis Niyikiza, another emerging beach volleyball pair, secured the bronze medals by beating David Neeke and Jean Paul Muyisenge 2-1.

In the women’s category, Rwanda’s top pair, Munezero and Benitha, maintained their flawless streak, showing no signs of slowing down. The duo has been dominating local competitions, building strong chemistry, and earning valuable points that have helped them rise in the FIVB Women’s Beach Volleyball World Rankings.

Following their triumph in Phase 1, Munezero and Benitha earned 40 points, bringing their total to 1,336 points, which moved them from 145th to 124th in the global rankings and 5th to 4th in Africa.

Valentine Munezero and Benitha Mukandayisenga defeated Penelope Musabyimana and Amito Sharon 2-0 (21-16, 21-11) in the final, adding this gold medal to the one they recently claimed at the Mamba Beach Volleyball tournament last month.

In this category, Francoise Yankurije and Aliane Nirere claimed third place by defeating Iris Ndagijimana and Sande Meldinah 2-0.

Apart from medals, the winners of this phase pocketed three hundred thousand Rwandan francs, while the second-place pair received two hundred thousand Rwandan francs, and the third-place pair took home one hundred thousand Rwandan francs.

The Rwanda Volleyball Federation has scheduled the Rwanda Beach Volleyball National Tour Phase 3 for June 2025, at the shores of Lake Kivu in Rubavu District.

Rwanda’s beach volleyball national tours have grown highly competitive, as the Fédération Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB) recognizes them, giving players the chance to earn points that impact their rankings in the FIVB World Rankings.

Image credits: derio_images

Youssou Diagne Leads Rayon Sports to 2-0 Win, Stays Top of RPL.

By

Evode Munyeshuri

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January 5, 2025

The Senegalese defender Youssou Diagne broke the deadlock in the Rwanda Premier League (RPL) matchday 14 against Police FC and stood firm in defense to help his side, Rayon Sports, secure their 11th clean sheet in 14 matches.

Rayon Sports defeated Police FC 2-0 on Saturday, January 5, in a rescheduled RPL matchday 14, continuing the strong form they finished 2024 with.

Gikundiro, with four Senegalese players in the starting lineup, shone from the beginning, and goal machine Fall Ngagne nearly won a penalty. However, referee Samuel Uwikunda booked him for diving.

Rayon Sports skipper and assist leader, Kevin Muhire, suffered an early injury and was replaced by Hadji Iraguha, allowing Fiston Ishimwe to take over the flank for the rest of the match.

Youssou Diagne opened the scoring in the dying minutes of the first half, thanks to a courtesy pass from his Senegalese compatriot Fall Ngagne.

The second half saw Police coach Vincent Mashami shake up his lineup, bringing on Didier Mugisha and Simeon Iradukunda for Muhadjiri Hakizimana and captain Eric Nsabimana. However, their efforts to connect with Ani Elijah fell short as the Senegalese defense, led by Youssou Diagne and Omar Gning, remained firm.

In the 63rd minute, a drive from Malian wonderkid Adama Bagayoko in the box forced Carnot Shami to score an own goal, doubling Rayon Sports’ lead.

Police FC continued to pressure the Blues, but a fast-paced Rayon Sports winger, Aziz Bassane, outpaced Carnot Shami in a one-on-one situation. Shami, with limited options, fouled Bassane, resulting in a second yellow card and his subsequent red card.

The 2-0 result at full time saw Youssou Diagne’s Rayon Sports register their 11th clean sheet in 14 matches. Robertinho’s coached team now has 36 points from 11 wins in 14 matches.

Rayon Sports boasts the best attack in the league with 24 goals while conceding the fewest (4). Senegalese attacker Fall Ngagne leads the scoring chart with 8 goals, while Youssou Diagne’s defense not only has the most clean sheets but also the fewest goals conceded.

Rayon Sports’ impressive statistics keep them at the top of the standings, 8 points clear of second-placed APR FC.

Umwaka wa 2025 ni uku tuwutangiye. #RwandaPremierLeague #RPL pic.twitter.com/x6vnNAVSkL

— Rwanda Premier League (@RwandaLeague) January 4, 2025

Youssou Diagne and Rayon Sports will return to the pitch on January 11, away to Mukura in the Huye district.

Patriots Name Munyandamutsa Head Coach Ahead of the New RBL Season

Patriots Basketball Club has promoted Sunny Munyandamutsa Niyomugabo to Head Coach, succeeding Henry Mwinuka, to lead the team in the Rwanda Basketball League (RBL) starting this Friday.

Rwanda Basketball League 2025 Tips Off This Friday.

The Rwanda Basketball League 2025 will begin on Friday, January 24, with 8 teams starting their quest to dethrone the back-to-back defending champions, APR, in the men’s category, while REG Women will be aiming for their 4th title since 2021.

Rwanda Volleyball: RRA and Police Open Second Phase with Wins, Maintain Unbeaten Streaks.

RRA easily defeated Kepler in straight sets to open the second phase of the Rwanda Volleyball National League on a high note. Police similarly stunned REG with a 3-0 win, enabling both teams to maintain their unbeaten records and remain at the top of the league.

APR BBC and REG WBBC Claim Inaugural Rwanda Super Cup Titles Ahead of New Season

The reigning champions, APR Basketball Club and REG Women’s Basketball Club, claimed the maiden Rwanda Super Cup, signaling their determination to defend their league titles as the new championship tips off in one week.

APR and REG Teams to Compete for Maiden Super Cup.

APR and REG, in both the men’s and women’s categories, will face off this Friday, January 17, competing for the first-ever Super Cup, which marks the start of the 2025 basketball season in Rwanda.

Excitement Builds as Rwanda Volleyball League Second Phase Serves Off This Friday.

The second phase of the Rwanda Volleyball National League begins on Friday, January 17, at Petit Stade, with Police VC and RRA seeking to preserve their perfect records in both the men’s and women’s categories.

RPL: Mukura and Amagaju Stand Tall in Huye, Toppling APR and Rayon Sports.

The highly anticipated Rwanda Premier League (RPL) Match Day 15 doubleheader in Huye District, which marked the climax of the first leg, saw Mukura and Amagaju defend their home turf and claim bragging rights by overcoming league powerhouses Rayon Sports and APR.

RPL Adjusts Mukura-Rayon Sports Kickoff to 5 p.m.

The Rwanda Premier League (RPL) has approved Mukura’s request to reschedule their fixture against Rayon Sports to Saturday, January 11, at 5 p.m. at Huye Stadium.

Beach Volleyball: Paul Akan and Jahara Koita Halt the Long-Dominant Pair of Ntagengwa and Kavalo.

Youssou Diagne Leads Rayon Sports to 2-0 Win, Stays Top of RPL.

The Senegalese defender Youssou Diagne broke the deadlock in the Rwanda Premier League (RPL) matchday 14 against Police FC and stood firm in defense to help his side, Rayon Sports, secure their 11th clean sheet in 14 matches.

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