Rwanda’s tax collectors stunned the reigning champions, APR, 3-1, in a heart-pounding Friday night Volleyball League game held at Petit Stade.
The Rwanda Revenue Authority (RRA) team defeated APR on November 29 to move into the top position in the Rwanda Women’s Volleyball League with a perfect 4-0 record.
Elie Mutabazi-coached RRA team had a strong start, taking the first set 25-21, but the army team rallied to win the second set 25-19.
In a back-and-forth third set, the tax collectors triumphed 25-22 and entered the fourth set with confidence, determined to finish the game and secure the three points in this Kigali rivalry clash.
The fourth set was tight, with Peter Kamasa’s APR leading 23-22, but RRA showed maturity, taking the last three points to close the set 25-23 and win the match.
With the 3-1 victory, RRA now sits at the top of the standings, ahead of Police Women’s Volleyball, who had held the position since the start of the 2024-25 season.
RRA has accumulated 12 points from 4 games, winning 12 sets and conceding only two. Police trails just behind with 11 points from 4 games, while defending champions APR occupy third place with 10 points.
APR has now lost to both direct rivals, RRA and Police in their opening games.
RRA leads the standings after Day 4
Women’s volleyball action continues this Saturday with more exciting games at Petit Stade and NPC Gymnasium.
APR FC defeated Bugesera FC 2-0 in a rescheduled Rwanda Premier League Matchday 2 on Wednesday evening at Kigali Pelé Stadium.
APR Football Clubsecured their first back-to-back league win of the season on Wednesday, November 27, thanks to goals from Lamineh Bah and Ramadhan Niyibizi in each half.
In a rainy match under the floodlights of Kigali Pelé Stadium, Lamineh Bah opened the scoring in the 39th minute after several chances were expertly saved by Bugesera goalkeeper Didier Mfashingabo.
The first half ended 1-0, with Bugesera trailing and eager to get back into the game.
Bugesera endured a major setback early in the second half when Didier Mfashingabo sustained a head injury and was replaced by Mac Arthur Arakaza. Shortly thereafter, in the 77th minute, Arakaza fouled Arsène Tuyisenge inside the penalty box.
Ramadhan Niyibizi converted the resulting penalty in the 79th minute to give the army team a 2-0 lead, leaving Bugesera with little chance of a comeback.
APR’s victory over Bugesera marks their second consecutive win in the 2024-25 Rwanda Premier League season. They now sit in 6th place with 14 points from 7 matches, having won 4, drawn 2, and forfeited 1.
Bugesera’s loss leaves them in the relegation zone, with the Eastern Province-based team in 15th position with 8 points—just 2 points ahead of last-placed Kiyovu, although Kiyovu has a game in hand.
Coach Francis Haringingo’s future at Bugesera may be in doubt following the team’s poor performance. They are winless in their last four matches.
Rayon Sports leads the standings with 23 points from 9 matches.
Rwanda wrapped up Window 2 of the AfroBasket 2025 Qualifiers in third position following a solid 90-63 win over Gabon in their final game.
The Rwanda Basketball National Team completed the three games of Group C’s first round of the AfroBasket 2025 Qualifiers with a victory over Gabon on Sunday, November 24.
The Dr. Cheikh Sarr-coached team faced uphill tasks in their first two games against the host team, Senegal, and a very dynamic Cameroon team. However, the win against Gabon keeps them in the race for qualification to Angola.
Rwanda started the game very strongly, intimidating Gabon with quick-fire threes and alley-oops to race to a 15-0 lead in the first three minutes.
However, the Gabonese team regained their composure and stopped Rwanda’s momentum, ending the first period trailing by 7 points, 21-28
Osborn Shema and Cadeau de Dieu Furaha revived the rhythm in the second quarter, expanding the lead, and Rwanda headed into the break with a 16-point advantage, 50-34.
After the interval, Dr. Sarr made changes to the lineup, and although the team scored the lowest of the game in the third period, 15-15, they regained their intensity in the final quarter, scoring 25 points while allowing only 14.
Osborn Shema led all scorers with 20 points, while Cadeau de Dieu Furaha and Antino Jackson Alvalezes both recorded double-doubles.
Furaha scored 14 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in his 33 minutes of play. Guard Antino contributed 13 points and 11 assists in 28 minutes on the court.
The 90-63 win over Gabon places Rwanda in third position with a 1-2 record, behind Cameroon (2-1) and group leaders Senegal (3-0). Gabon remains winless.
The AfroBasket 2025 Qualifiers’ third overall window, marking the second round of Group C, will take place in February 2025.
If Rwanda maintains their third-place position, they will qualify for the top continental basketball showcase in Angola.
Rwanda suffered a 59-70 defeat to Cameroon, marking their second consecutive loss in the AfroBasket 2025 Qualifiers. The defeat leaves them with no choice but to win their final game against Gabon to stay in the race for qualification to Angola.
The Rwanda Basketball National Team lost to Cameroon on Saturday night in the AfroBasket 2025 Qualifiers, Window 2, Group C, taking place in Dakar, Senegal.
Cameroon built a 19-point lead in the first half (25-20, 22-8) and controlled the game throughout. Rwanda led for only 41 seconds during the entire 40-minute game, and that lead came in the first quarter.
Rwanda’s defense improved in the second half with a solid man-to-man and full-court press. They limited Cameroon to just 11 and 12 points in the third and fourth quarters, respectively. However, their comeback attempt fell short against a team that had a 25-point lead in the first half.
Rwanda won the second half 15-11 and 16-12 but finished the game with a 59-70 loss.
Antino Jackson Alvalezes
Antino Jackson Alvalezes led the game with a total of 23 points, adding 6 rebounds and 5 assists to his performance.
Vice-captain William Robeyns was the most efficient player for Rwanda, scoring 19 points on 7-of-13 shooting, including 5-of-11 from three-point range.
Robeyns also contributed 5 rebounds, 1 assist, and 2 steals, with just 1 turnover and no personal fouls in 32 minutes of play.
On the Cameroonian side, Fabien Quentin Philibert Ateba scored a team-high 17 points.
Following this back-to-back defeat, we sought to understand how Rwanda must react to fight for their pride and stay in the hunt for qualification, especially given their historical significance, as they last qualified for AfroBasket in 2011.
In the post-game press conference, Dr. Cheikh Sarr emphasized the need to put the defeats behind them and focus on the final game against the Gabon team.
“We saw that Gabon is very aggressive,” Sarr explained. “They have two players who play in Rwanda, and we know we must pay extra attention to these types of teams. They [Gabon] have their backs against the wall, just like us.”
Sarr continued, “It will be a final against Gabon. We will do our best to control their best players. They shift from a zonal defense to man-to-man, so we will prepare accordingly, repeating our systems and alternating between three-point shots and drives to the basket.”
Rwanda has struggled with long-range shooting in this campaign, and in their game against Cameroon, they made 10 of 38 three-point attempts, with only two players accounting for nine of those. Alvalezes hit 4 of 10, while Robeyns made 5 of 11.
A key question raised was whether Osborn Shema, the team’s 2.11m center, should be attempting three-pointers instead of focusing on attacking the basket and battling inside the paint. Shema attempted 10 shots from behind the arc, but only one of them fell.
The game against Gabon carries high stakes, and all eyes are on Dr. Sarr to see how he will respond strategically in this must-win situation.
Speaking on behalf of the players, Osborn Shema expressed the team’s mentality moving forward with confidence.
“Our mindset is to stay positive, regardless of who we are facing,” Shema said. “We are not giving up; we are ready to give our best and fight in every game.”
Rwanda has not qualified for AfroBasket through the qualifiers since 2011.
They participated in AfroBasket 2013 in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, through a wild card, missed out on the 2015 edition, and returned in 2017 in Tunis and Dakar via another wild card before hosting the event in 2021.
The next AfroBasket will take place in Angola, and Rwanda must finish in the top three of Group C to qualify.
These teams will face each other once more in Window 3, scheduled for February, to complete the qualifying rounds.
There are five groups in total, and the top three teams from each group will advance to join Angola, the host country, in the 16-team lineup for the tournament.
The Rwanda Basketball National Team fell to Senegal 58-81 in the opening game of Group C in the AfroBasket 2025 Qualifiers at Dakar Arena.
Dakar, November 22 – Rwanda’s poor shooting cost them in their opening game against Senegal in the AfroBasket 2025 Qualifiers, ending the game on a disappointing note.
Dr. Cheikh Sarr’s team struggled in the first three quarters, losing 17-20, 14-23, and 10-21. Despite sharing the same score (17-17) in the final quarter, they ended the game with a 23-point deficit.
Rwanda shot 21-68 from the field, including 7-39 from behind the arc. Dr. Sarr stated that their unfamiliarity with the Dakar Arena, due to practicing only at Marius Ndiaye and having just one session at the main venue, could have impacted their shooting performance.
“We didn’t have the chance to practice on the court. We only had one session here at Dakar Arena, and that’s not enough,” Dr. Sarr explained. “That’s why we ended up with such a low shooting percentage of 17.9%, compared to Senegal’s 29%.”
Rwanda also struggled to attack the rim, with center Osborn Shema frequently stepping outside the paint to take shots. He attempted 13 three-pointers but made just one.
William Robeyns led the team with 12 points, all from three-point range, while Shema scored 11 points on 4-18 shooting from the field.
Senegal’s Youssou Ndoye dominated in the paint, finishing with 14 points on 4-5 shooting from inside the arc. Guard Brancou Badio also scored 14 points for Senegal.
In a post-match interview, Coach Sarr revealed that Rwanda’s point guard, Antino Jackson, had suffered an injury, though he did not provide further details.
Rwanda National Team at AfroBasket 2025 Qualifiers, Window 2 in Dakar
Rwanda will return to the court tomorrow to face Cameroon.
The Basketball Africa League (BAL) returns for its 5th season, with Rabat, Morocco, set as a new destination to host the Kalahari Conference from April 5 to 13.
The Basketball Africa League officially launched its fifth season on Thursday, November 21, during an online meeting with the press. For the first time, Morocco is set to host the conference games, South Africa will host the playoffs and finals, and Rwanda will not host the finals.
The format remains the same, but the host cities for the three conferences and the finals changed. Morocco will host the Kalahari Conference from April 5 to 13, followed by Senegal with the Sahara Conference from April 26 to May 4.
Rwanda will host the Nile Conference from May 17 to 25.
This is the first time Morocco will host a major continental tournament since 2001, when Casablanca hosted the AfroBasket.
Rabat, Morocco’s capital, replaces Cairo as one of the three cities that traditionally host this premier continental club championship.
Out of the 12 teams competing in the fifth season, only two spots remain undecided.
These two teams will emerge from the Road to BAL East Division Elite 16, scheduled to take place in Nairobi from November 28 to December 3, after several changes in venues and dates.
Along with the two East Division teams, the two teams from the West Division—Stade Malien (Mali) and Al Ahly Tripoli (Libya)—will join the automatically qualified teams: Petro de Luanda (Angola), Al Ittihad Alexandria (Egypt), US Monastir (Tunisia), ASCVD (Senegal), APR (Rwanda), FUS Rabat (Morocco), MBB (South Africa), and Rivers Hoopers (Nigeria).
The 12 teams will be divided into three conferences, with the best 8 teams advancing to the finals in South Africa, scheduled from June 6 to 14.
Angola’s Petro de Luanda will be determined to hold on to their title.
Rwanda’s historic 2-1 win over Nigeria ends in heartbreak as they fail to qualify for the 2025 AFCON due to goal difference, following the concurrent goalless draw between Libya and Benin.
The Torsten Spittler-coached side defeated Nigeria 2-1 in Uyo State to conclude the campaign in third place with 8 points, the same as second-placed Benin. However, Benin had a superior goal difference compared to the Amavubi, securing second place.
The first 45 minutes ended in a stalemate, and the Super Eagles broke the deadlock 14 minutes after the break when substitute Samuel Chukwueze scored a stunning solo goal, beating four Rwandan defenders.
Rwandan goalkeeper Fiacre Ntwali sustained an injury a few minutes after the goal and was replaced by Clement Twizere Buhake. At the same time, Spittler introduced Jojea Kwizera and Samuel Gueulette, who completely changed the game.
Kwizera set up Ange Jimmy Mutsinzi in the 72nd minute to level the score, boosting the morale of Djihad Bizimana and his teammates as they pushed for the winner.
In the 75th minute, the in-form striker Innocent Nshuti netted the second goal, capitalizing on a precise pass from Emmanuel Imanishimwe on the left flank.
With the 2-1 lead, Rwanda needed Libya to beat Benin in Tripoli to secure second place. However, the teams ended in a goalless draw, which favored Benin.
Nigeria finished Group D in pole position with 11 points, followed by Benin with 8 points, the same as Rwanda. But with a better head-to-head record, Benin claimed second place, having beaten Rwanda 3-0 in the first leg, while Rwanda won 2-1 in the return leg.
Both teams had 3 points in head-to-head results, but Benin had a superior goal difference in those two encounters.
Rwandan striker Innocent Nshuti (t-shirt #19) finished the 2025 AFCON qualifiers with 3 goals, having scored against all the group’s opponents.
Rwanda has not participated in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) since 2004, but they have never come closer than this year.
The focus now shifts to the World Cup qualifiers. Rwanda leads Group C, which includes Nigeria and Benin—two teams that denied Rwanda a spot in the AFCON—along with South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Lesotho.
The FERWABA General Assembly convened on Saturday, November 16, and officially confirmed that the Rwanda Basketball League (RBL) will commence on January 24, 2025.
The General Assembly of Basketball in Rwanda gathered on Saturday at the Park Inn hotel to review the activities of 2024 and plan for the year ahead.
The meeting also saw the admission of new members, including Kigali Elite, the Christian Basketball Team, and the Azomco Women Basketball Club.
The assembly confirmed that the regular basketball competitions will proceed as scheduled in the calendar for the season, with no significant changes to the rules, especially concerning player eligibility.
The age limit in the Second Division has been lifted, making it open to all players. Additionally, a new competition for players under 21 will be introduced.
Meanwhile, the Rwanda Cup will be held for the second time, with top-tier teams allowed to field players from their Second Division-affiliated teams to offer them more playing opportunities.
Another key decision from the meeting was setting the date for the election of a new committee on December 21, 2024. Désiré Mugwiza, who has led the federation for 12 years, will be eligible to continue in his role after the assembly removed the term limit.
At the conclusion of the General Assembly, the press interviewed FERWABA President Mr. Désiré Mugwiza, who also chaired the meeting, about the progress of transforming the Rwanda Basketball League into a professional league, as outlined in a key resolution from the previous year’s assembly.
“We discussed the matter, but there are still aspects that need improvement. We’ve agreed to organize a retreat before the league begins to find better ways to structure the championship. However, the RBL will not be a fully professional league for the upcoming season.” Said FERWABA President.
The Rwanda Basketball League will begin on January 24, with 10 men’s teams, including newly promoted Azomco and Flames, who will replace the relegated Inspired Generations and Titans.
Azomco Women Basketball Club will compete in the women’s category for the first time, with the league expected to feature 11 teams.
Mr. Fidel Rutagarama, the President of Espoir Basketball Club, is one of the long-time attendees of the General Assembly.Mr. Aimée Munana, the Federation’s legal advisor.Lt. Col. Dr. Barnabe Twabagira, the Principal and President of IPRC Huye.Mrs. Nathalie Munyampenda, the President of Kepler Basketball Club
Amavubi’s African Cup of Nations (AFCON) ambitions took a major blow as they were narrowly defeated 1-0 by Libya in front of a full crowd at Amahoro Stadium.
November 14th will be remembered as the day Rwanda endured its first defeat in a match played at the newly renovated Amahoro Stadium.
Amavubi hosted Libya’s Mediterranean Knights in a must-win match that could have boosted their ambitions to return to the AFCON for the first time in two decades.
The home team, backed by the crowd, dominated the first half, creating several scoring chances but failing to convert any of them.
Rwanda continued to control possession in the second half but squandered opportunities until Libya’s Fahd Saad Mohamed scored the only goal of the match in the 84th minute.
This left Rwanda with little time to respond, and the defeat severely jeopardized their AFCON qualification hopes.
Rwanda traveled to Uyo, Nigeria, early this morning to take on the Super Eagles in the final match of Group D. And their chances of qualifying for the 2025 AFCON now rely not only on their own performance but also on the result of the Benin-Libya match.
Amavubi must beat Nigeria and hope that Libya defeats Benin. Currently, the Torsten Spittler-coached team sits in third place with 5 points, two points behind second-placed Benin and 6 points off leaders Nigeria, who have already secured their AFCON ticket.
Libya’s win has also improved their chances. Although they are at the bottom of the table with 4 points, if they beat Benin in their final match and hope that Nigeria manages at least a draw against Rwanda, they will make it to Morocco next year.
The Rwanda men’s national team, Amavubi, will face Libya on November 14 in a must-win match to keep their hopes alive of qualifying for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals for the first time in 20 years.
Rwanda wants to build on their victory over Benin to continue the long journey of ending a 20-year AFCON drought.
Rwanda last participated in the Africa Cup of Nations in 2004 in Tunisia. Since then, the Amavubi have never been in a stronger position than they are now, to make a return to Africa’s top football tournament.
The Rwandan fans are anticipating the Amavubi’s match against the Mediterranean Knights, as the team have yet to experience a home defeat at the new Amahoro Stadium.
In the pre-match press conference, Djihad Bizimana urged Rwandans to support the team in their final home game and vowed to give their best on the field to make the fans proud.
Djihad Bizimana, Rwanda National Team captain
“We urge Rwandans to come out and support us, as this is our final home match of the campaign.”He told the media.
Bizimana added, “The energy from the crowd has motivated us in previous matches, and we expect them to turn out in large numbers. We promise to make them proud.”
Coach Frank Torsten Spittler stated that the team is in high spirits and ready to build on their victory in the previous match.
“The situation is good, especially after we won our last match, and everyone is healthy.” Torsten noted. “We are ready for the challenge tomorrow.”
Rwanda is third in Group D with 5 points, trailing Nigeria (10 points) and Benin (6 points), while Libya is last with 1 point.
A win over Libya, combined with a Nigeria win against Benin, would elevate Amavubi to second place before the final game in Uyo against super eagles.
However, they must fight for a strong result against Nigeria in their final match; otherwise, Rwanda’s chances will depend not only on their own performance but also on the outcome of the Benin-Libya match, as only the top two teams in the group will qualify for the 2025 AFCON.
The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), the 35th edition, will be held in Morocco from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026, due to the scheduling of the expanded FIFA Club World Cup in the summer.
