The defending champions APR WVC, and Police WVC, fought back and forth in an entertaining five-set contest that concluded with APR taking home the bragging rights of Rwanda Women National League’s newly established derby.
After placing second in the Kirehe Open last week, the Rwanda National Police Volleyball Team suffered a heartbreaking setback to rival APR Women Volleyball Club on Sunday afternoon, falling in five thrilling sets inside Notre Dame des Anges Gymnasium.
Set one stood close early on. However, with the score tied at ten, a kill and solo block from Bertile Mutoni, followed by another kill from Amito Shallon secured a three-point advantage for Police (13-10).
Police went on to 15 points while maintaining a three-point lead, forcing Florien Siborurema to take a timeout to adjust his tactics. It worked out, and APR cut the deficit to make it 15 apiece.
They pushed and seized the lead until Christian Hatumimana decided to request a timeout at 16-18. Following the short break, both teams continued to go back and forth up to 23-23, when Police scored two consecutive points to take the first set.
Set two saw the defensive battle between the two powerful hitting teams, with APR coming out on top 25-19. This set was unambiguously dominated by APR.
With no Catherine Ainambabazi, injured in the warm-up prior to the game, Police came out strong in the third set, taking the first five points in a row.
APR’s Siborurema sought to shake up the team, requesting time outs, but a succession of attack errors forced Siborurema to rest some key players like Benitha Mukandayisenga, Yvette Igihozo, and Valentine with the intent to come back stronger in the fourth set. It ended 25-12 in favor of Police
With the majority of rested players from the previous set, APR comes out fired up to win the 4th set and force a decider. They easily defeated Police 25-18 and then resumed where they left off in the deciding set.
They scored five consecutive points and changed the court sides with 8-2.
APR scored four straight points to make it 12-2, and there was plainly no room for the Police to come back. Hence, the set ended 15-6.
APR extends their winning streak, as they have yet to taste defeat in the 2023 National League. They improved their perfect record to 7-0 and are now in pole position.
APR Women Volleyball Club
In their next assignment, they will be up against IPRC Huye and Ruhango VC at the IPRC Huye outdoor courts.
Rwanda’s representatives in the 2023 CAF Champions, APR FC were ousted in the second preliminary round, and their long-held ambition to appear in any top-level Continental tournament group stage remains a nightmare.
Following a goalless draw in Kigali last week, APR FC’s 2023 journey to the CAF Champions League Group stage came to an end as they were thrashed 6-1 by Egypt’s Pyramids in the second leg match of the second round played at the 30 June Stadium.
Mostafa Fathi broke the deadlock 18 minutes after the kickoff, and Walid El-Kharti doubled the lead three minutes later to give the home team the comfort of a two-goal advantage.
In a similar way to the first half, APR conceded two goals in quick succession, with Mostafa Fathi scoring in the 56th and 61st minutes to complete his hat trick and the Pyramids’ fourth goal.
In the 68th minute, APR’s defender Salomon Banga Bindjeme escaped a red following a bad tackle in the box, although a penalty seemed obvious.
Ramadhan Sobhi missed the penalty attempt, and Mohamed Al-Shaibi rebounded it to make it 5. And things became much worse for Rwanda’s most decorated Club When Mostafa Fathi scored the sixth goal—his fourth goal in this Friday’s encounter.
APR’s Victor Mbaoma came off the bench and converted a penalty shot in the 86th minute after Gabr handled the ball in the box.
6-1 on aggregate meant not just elimination, but also humiliation for a team that had not used foreigners in over a decade and overhauled the policy this season in search of international glory.
The team’s focus must shift to local competitions, with APR FC aiming for a fifth league title in a row. They have scooped up every league trophy since 2019.
Following the closure of the boys’ FIBA Africa Youth Camp in Bamako on Friday, Kigalihosts an all-girls camp comprising 38 kids from 21 different countries in a three-day Basketball camp.
Kigali, September 26 – A three-day Africa showpiece for developmental and training purposes, organized by FIBA Africa in partnership with NBA, gets underway at BK Arena in the presence of Jean Michel Ramaroson, The President of FIBA Africa Development Council, Franck Traore, NBA Africa Head Basketball operations, and Pascale Mugwaneza, the vice president of FERWABA
Dr Check Sarr, Rwanda’s national team head coach, leads a team of instructors that includes NBA Africa Ambassador Christelle Ngarsanet, a former Ivorian national team player who was instrumental in the development of Rwanda national team players Hope Butera and Joyeuse Ineza Sifa.
In her remarks to welcome the campers in Rwanda, Pascale Mugwaneza, Vice President of Rwanda Basketball Federation, complimented the girls for making it to Kigali as proof of their best efforts. She later expressed the federation’s gratitude and appreciation to FIBA for all of the opportunities they continue to grant Rwanda in hosting various Basketball events.
Pascale Umugwaneza, The First Vice-President of the Rwanda Basketball Federation
She said; “We do not take for granted the opportunities that FIBA provides for our country to host several Basketball events, and we appreciate them. It helps the growth of our federation as well as the Rwandan basketball community.”
“I’d also want to thank NBA Africa for collaborating through different programs, especially for uplifting women and girls in Basketball. We still have a long way to go, but we feel that with these initiatives, we can go far” said FERWABA Vice President and FIBA newly elected FIBA Central board member
Speaking with Franck Traore, the NBA Africa head of Basketball operations, he highlighted the relevance of this camp to young aspiring basketball players as well as the value of grassroots programs in African basketball growth.
Franck Traore, Head of Basketball Operations at NBA Africa
He said; “We decided to developprograms and create a platform for young ladies from across the continent to be able to showcase the talent and at the same time work closely with some of the top coaches we have on the continent so that they can really improve the skill set and become better basketball players.”
He continued, “We as Africans need to continue to develop and create competition. Because for you to gain experience, you need to play in high-level competition. And that’s what the other part of the world has.”
“They do have competition, and they do have grassroots programming, so they have an entire ecosystem That enables the youth in their respective continents to be able to compete at the highest level. And in Africa, I think we’re very, very close.” Declared NBA Africa’s head of operations.
The top-notch program for discovering and nurturing the most gifted young African basketball players also includes 14 female coaches from throughout the continent.
Indeed, Mr Franck claims that the camps have been a success from their inception, and that the improvement is evident
“For these three years, we continued to work together with our partners to be able to put together this camp, and every year you know the the skill level has improved tremendously.”
“We use these camps for talent identification, for FIBA side and even from the NBA side and then we also use them to bring young coaches from all over the continent, to be trained by the instructors that we have so that when they go back in their countries, they can continue to work with the youth there.” Said Mr. Franck Traore
As mentioned by Jean Michel Ramaroson, a member of the FIBA Africa executive committee in charge of development, holding camps is one of the strategies used to develop talents in a relatively short period of time.
Jean Michel Ramaroson, a member of the FIBA Africa executive committee
“This camp is all about developing talent and sharing experiences with coaches from a variety of countries on this continent as well as FIBA and NBA experts.”
“In Africa, we need more skilled players. With camps one of the tools to develop talents in a very short time, we are certain that the children will receive an adequate package.”
According to FIBA, these seminars are also intended to empower young aspiring Basketballers with skills to ignite change via basketball, as well as opportunities for self-development and building leadership and a sense of belonging
Twelve of the 38 participants are from Rwanda, and six of the 14 coaches here learning from instructors are Rwandans as well, including current National team captain Charlotte Umugwaneza.
The bulk of these young females competed in this year’s FIBA Africa U-16 Championship, and both the NBA and FIBA anticipate them to thrive in next year’s U-18 continental championship as a result of this endeavour.
These Youth camps have reached 43 countries since the inaugural event in 2021. The first two camps drew a total of 90 young girls.
NBA and FIBA Africa have been collaborating in different grassroots programs, and their joint efforts resulted in the African continent’s first professional basketball competition.
Rayon Sports drew 1-1 with Libyan side Al-Hilal Benghaz in the first leg of the CAF Confederation Cup’s second qualifying round.
The match was staged behind closed doors at Kigali Pele Stadium considering Al Hilal, the host team, decided to host Rayon Sports with no supporters inside the stadium since they were grieving the victims of the recent calamities that devastated Libya.
This match was initially scheduled for September 15, and Rayon Sports had already landed in Benghaz, however owing to the circumstances in Libya, the teams and CAF agreed that the first and second legs should be held in Kigali. hence, Al Hilal Benghaz hosted this Saturday’s encounter.
The match was held behind closed doors.
The match kickoff delayed for 19 minutes as the Libyans claimed Rayon Sports had surpassed the number of permitted spectators. However, the match started after discussions between the teams, match commissioner, and local governing body for Football.
Following a goalless first half, Hertier Nzinga Luvumbu scored from the spot in the 53rd minute to give Rayon Sports the lead after an Al Hilal defender handled the ball in the box.
Six minutes before the end of the regular time, Ezzedin Elmarmi brought Al Hilal level as they continue to put pressure on Rayon Sports. But it ended with a 1-1 tie, thus, the second leg will determine who goes through.
Rayon Sports will host the second leg at the same venue next Saturday, September 30, and the presence of Gikundiro fans will be felt this time. Should they get pass the Libyans, Rayon Sports will make it to the CAF Confederation Cup group stage for the second time.
Rayon Sports became Rwanda’s first team to reach the CAF Confederation group stage in 2018. They went on to reach the quarterfinals in the same edition.
This is how both teams lined up today.
Rayon Sports XI: Adolphe Hakizimana, Ali Serumogo, Abdul Rwatubyaye, Elie Ishimwe Ganijuru, Aruna Mussa Madjaliwa, Hertier Nzinga Luvumbu, Emmanuel Mvuyekure, Isaac Mitima, Rachid Kalisa, Ojera Joackiam, and Musa Esenu
Al Hilal Benghaz XI: Khaleid Almsmari, Bashier Alkarami, Mohammed Abdullah, Jaeffar Adrees, Osamah Alshareef, Aboubakar Meelad, Faisal Saleh, Eze Kevin, Ezzedin Elmarmi, Ahmed Ramadhan, Abdulsalam Muftah
Mr. Richard Nyirishema, FERWABA Vice President, presents Kami & family his famed number 14 as a retirement recognition.
Rwanda Basketball Federation bade an emotional farewell to Kami Kabange’s international career as he announced his retirement. A recognition gesture occurred at the 2023 FERWABA All Star Game Event.
KIGALI, September 23, Rwanda’s governing body for Basketball, in their usual manner of concluding the basketball season, organized a well-entertained All-Star Game event, highlighted by a heartfelt moment to honour Kami Kabange for his outstanding international basketball career.
During Saturday’s occurrence, Kami Kabange, accompanied by his children and wife, had nothing but praise and acknowledgement for the Basketball fraternity.
“I could not go without expressing gratitude to the Federation of Basketball, headed by Mr. Desire Mugwiza, he has been a major influence in my career, especially in the National team; so much applause for him.”
“I’d also like to thank my family, my teammates, the entire basketball community, my coaches, and all of the fans. Keep going, keep enjoying basketball. THANK YOU”. Said Kami Kabange
Kami Kabange Milambwe, born in the Democratic Republic of the Congo,and found a home in Rwanda thanks to his excellent basketball talent and disciplined behaviour.
Kami crossed Kivu for good and forever in 2007, two years after drawing attention from the Katanga side Besa Mazembe. Winning back-to-back league titles with the army team in his first two seasons in Rwanda, won him the hearts of basketball fans in the land of a thousand hills, and thus got naturalized two years later.
Kabange spent his first four seasons in Rwanda with APR Basketball Club, where he won two national leagues, before spending a short but unforgettable stint in Espoir BBC where they won the league title as well as the FIBA Africa Zone V Clubs Championship in 2012.
He joined Uganda’s City Oilers in 2013 and cemented his status by winning four straight titles.
The Oilers, along with Kami, dominated East Africa, winning the 2016 FIBA Africa Zone V Clubs Championship.
The power forward twice won MVP honours in Uganda’s NBL before joining Rwanda Energy Group in January 2017 in what City Oilers described as a fantastic offer and the club couldn’t stand in his way.
The 39-year-old legend put the Electricians on the map by helping them clinch a 2017 league title in their maiden season, back-to-back league titles in 2021 and 2022, then carried a national flag in the Basketball Africa League. He then assisted them in reaching the 2023 RBL Playoffs final, where they lost to APR.
His recent game in a red and white jersey was a painful 80-68 loss to his former team APR, as APR completed a sweep and successfully reclaimed the title, they last won in 2009 with Kami.
Kami opted to play for Rwanda in 2009 and has participated in four AfroBasket tournaments: 2009, 2011, 2013, and 2017. His last appearance for the national team occurred in February 2021, during the AfroBasket Qualifiers in Monastir
Team Nshobozwa and Team Turatsinze congratulate Kami on his amazing career.
Rwanda Basketball Federation, FERWABA, has earned a reputation as Rwanda’s first sports association that takes pride in past players. the other recent players to receive such honour are Aristide Mugabe and Meshack Rwampungu.
Young Africans rejoice after scoring their second goal In a 2023 CAF Champions League second preliminary round tie against Al Merrikh at Kigali Pelé Stadium | Photo: IGIHE
Young Africans beat AL Merrikh 2-0 away on Saturday, thanks to goals from Kennedy Musonda and Clement Mzize, as Miguel Gamondi’s team grabbed the upper hand in the CAF Champions League second preliminary round despite not killing off their Sudanese opponents.
September 16, Due to the unstable political circumstances in Khartoum, Sudanese giants Al Merrikh SC hosted their CAF Champions League second preliminary round tie against Young Africans at Kigali Pelé Stadium.
Being the host in Kigali did not provide the Sudanese an advantage on and off the field, as Mwananchi dominated attendance and secured a virtual home advantage.
Young Africans “Yanga” overcame Al Merrikh after a scoreless first half with goals from Kennedy Musonda and Clement Mzizé to go a step closer to the CAF Champions League group stage, as they hope to finish the job in Dar es Salaam next week in the second leg.
Kennedy Musonda came off the bench after the interval to give the visitors the lead in the 61st minute. He scored with a powerful header from a superb freekick delivered by former ASEC Mimosa midfielder Pacome Zouzoua.
Al Merrikh were given a glimmer of hope when Aziz Ki played a wonderful ball to Clement Mzizé at the edge of the box, and Al Mustafa couldn’t save Mzizé’s shot from a very close distance.
The Tanzanians had multiple chances to kill the game, but the bar post rescued Al Mustapha several times. Hence, a 2-0 at full-time.
The second leg will be played in Chamazi. Following the renovation of Benjamin Mkapa Stadium, Young Africans opted to host the CAF Champions League at Azam Complex.
Yanga thrashed Ali Sabieh 5-1 in the first round at Chamazi to advance to the second round with a 7-1 aggregate score.
Odile Tetero came up with another top-notch performance as APR WBBC overcame defending champions REG BBC 4-1 in Game 5 of the best-of-seven series, to claim the 2023 Rwanda Basketball League
KIGALI, September 15, APR Women’s Basketball Club have been crowned RBL Champions for the first time since 2019. They had lost the first game of the series before running off four successive victories to seal the title.
In a Game 5 like the previous games, REG BBC started high, building a 6-point lead in the opening quarter (22-16), and going on to end the second quarter with a seven-point advantage (33-26).
APR began the third quarter with a zone defence, denying easy points by pushing the opposition team to take tough shots. It worked, as APR closed the gap, with a courtesy of Odile Tetero’s three-point buzzer-beater, they concluded the quarter with a point advantage. 49-48
The back-to-back defending champions were not done as they continued to push in the final quarter, but Odile Tetero continued to hurt her former club by hitting long-range shots and drives into the paint to enable APR to win by a tight margin of 62-61.
It was a great season, and playoffs in particular for APR’s point guard Odile Tetero as she knocked down another spectacular performance of 23 points on 8-of-20 shooting from the floor with three 3-pointers in six attempts, six boards and four assists in 39 minutes.
Brigitte Nibishaka and Henriette Uwimpuhwe of Groupe Scolaire Marie Reine were honoured as the league’s best defender and top scorer, respectively. At the same time, Jane Dusabe of Hoops Rwanda was named the most improved player of the season.
RP-IPRC Huye team captain, Linda Nandy Uwitonze was named regular season MVP.
APR scooped Rwf 13 million in addition to gold medals. The first runner-up, REG BBC, received an eight million cheque, while the second runner-up and the fourth received six and three million, respectively.
The 2023 Rwanda Basketball League finalists APR WBBC and REG BBC will represent the country in the FIBA Africa Zone 5 Club Championship slated for next month in Kigali
Tetero stole the show on Wednesday night at BK Arena, scoring a game-high 28 points against her former club REG BBC in Betpawa Playoffs Finals game 4, leading APR BBC to a 77-67 victory and a step closer to the 2023 RBL title.
In the thick of the Rose Akon MVP debate, Odile Tetero continues to remind everyone that she is one of the Rwanda Women’s Basketball League’s top players and a legitimate postseason MVP candidate.
Following a 30-point outburst in Game 3 of the BetPawa Playoffs finals, APR point guard Odile Tetero yields another fantastic performance of 28 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists against REG BBC, improving APR to 3-1 in the best-of-seven series.
Unlike the other close games, REG BBC appeared to be an easy opponent for APR, as they managed to cut an 11-point deficit in the first half and finish up leading them by 10 points at the end of the game.
REG BBC, the back-to-back defending champions, jumped out to a blazing start, scoring 22 points against APR’s 13 to close the first quarter on a positive note. REG BBC managed to wrap up the first half with a 6-point advantage, 32-26, through a lower-scoring second quarter.
The Esperance Mukaneza-coached team sought to maintain momentum in the third quarter and end the game, tying the series at two games apiece. However, APR’s Deo Nkurikiyinka came up dominant and limited them to only 8 points in 10 minutes.
APR’s 20 points in the third period allowed them to go ahead and take control of the game in the fourth quarter to win 77-67, taking a 3-1 series lead and one game away from the title.
Akon Rose Paul Macuei, a former UCU Lady Canon, scored 21 points in this game, making it her fourth game in a row with at least 20 points. The 2021 RBL MVP scored 22 in game 1, 23 in game 2, 20 in game 3, and now 21 in game 4.
Aside from Akon’s consistency, Odile Tetero got all the attention once again, scoring a game-high 28 points and tallying 80 points in four Betpawa Playoffs final games.
Tetero (with the ball) attempting to connect with Akon (8) in the fast break | Photo: Innocent SHEMA
Tetero, also known as “Zuma” hit 8-for-17 from the field and 10-for-11 from the free-throw line in 38 minutes with no foul. The star also recorded 7 rebounds and five assists on the night.
Sandra Kantore and Assouma Uwizeye scored 11 and 10 points, respectively, in a game in which APR had no points off the bench.
Betty Kalanga and Mireille Nyota Muganza of REG combined for 42 points and 30 rebounds. Kalanga produced a terrific double-double of 25 points and 10 rebounds, while Muganza put in 17 points and 20 rebounds as well.
Game 5 is scheduled for Friday, September 15, and if APR wins, they will clinch the league title they last won in 2019.
Odile Tetero tallied 30 points, grabbed three rebounds, and dished out nine assists as APR BBC defeated REG Women BBC 84-81 to take a 2-1 lead in the Betpawa Playoffs Finals.
The back-to-back defending champions, REG Women BBC, had a better start to the game, leading the opening quarter 22-11 and the first half 37-32.
Déo Nkurikiyinka and Aimée Karim Nkusi adjusted the tactics prior to the third quarter, and APR began to control the game with Akon Rose driving into the paint at will, dropping 10 points in the first 5 minutes of the third quarter due to poor defending from REG BBC, who had already benched Betty Kalanga after she registered her third personal foul.
APR went on to build up a 10-point advantage, however Akon Rose picked up her third personal foul, forcing Nkurikiyinka to withdraw her. And from there, REG clawed its way back into the game, closing the third quarter behind by two points, 55-53.
The last period was a back-and-forth battle until 27 seconds left, when APR led 80-78.
Cooper Shayla missed a mid-range shot when she could have attacked the rim, and the short clock was at 15, As a consequence, REG made a fast break, followed by a two-point basket by Muganza plus a foul to score an extra free throw.
With 19 seconds left, Muganza Nyota Mireille converted that free throw to give REG BBC a one-point lead. 81-80
Déo Nkurikiyinka, APR’s interim head coach, called a timeout and restarted the game in front court.
With the ball flowing well, Sandra Kantore found Assouma Uwizeye, who dropped a three-pointer and drew a foul to take a two-point lead with a free throw bonus.
Uwizeye scored a free throw to conclude the game 84-81 and give her team a 2-1 series lead.
Aside from Odile Tetero’s 30-point effort, Akon Rose posted 20 points and Assouma Uwizeye supplied 15 points in APR’s victory.
Betty Kalanga and Mireille Nyota Muganza scored 27 and 14 points for The Electricians, respectively.
Game four in the series will be played on Wednesday.
Senegal and Rwanda shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw at Huye Stadium on Saturday night, September 9, to wrap up the 2023 AFCON Group L qualifying campaign.
The Amavubi were positioned fourth in the group L rankings prior to the match, with their hopes of qualifying for the Afcon finals already dashed after failing to win a single game, They needed to defeat Senegal’s B team to conclude the campaign on a positive note.
The Teranga Lions were not afforded a pleasant start before Lamine Camara broke through in the second half.
In the 66th minute, Mamadou Lamine Camara scored with a powerful header from a free kick by Cheikh Tidiane Sidibé.
Rwanda didn’t give up after the setback, claiming a point in the final minutes through Olivier Niyonzima and sharing the spoils.
Amavubi finished fourth in the group standings with three points from three draws, capping off a poor qualification campaign.
Senegal, on the other hand, had sent their B squad considering they had already qualified for the 2023 Afcon finals, and they finished top in their group, four points ahead of second-placed Mozambique.
Senegal and Mozambique have officially qualified for the 2023 African Cup of Nations in Côte d’Ivoire, joining the host Côte d’Ivoire, Algeria, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Morocco, Nigeria, South Africa, Tunisia, Zambia, Ghana, Angola, Tanzania, DR Congo, and Mauritania. There are just three spots remaining.
In group C, both positions are still up for grabs, with Namibia, Cameroon, and Burundi separated by only one point following Kenya’s exclusion. Meanwhile Congo and Gambia will compete for the final slot in Group G, which will determine which team joins Mali.
RWANDA: Fiacre Ntwari, Fitina Omborenga, Ange Jimmy Mutsinzi, Christian Ishimwe, Isaac Mitima, Djihad Bizimana (Muhadjiri Hakizimana 77′), Gilbert Mugisha (Ramadhan Niyibizi 70′), Olivier Niyonzima, Bosco Ruboneka, Innocent Nshuti (Didier Mugisha 74′), and Lague Byiringiro
