Arua Hill SC celebrate second goal | Courtesy Photo
New top-flight league entrants, Arua Hill SC make a massive statement at Wankulukuku after an astounding win over league title holders Express FC.
Two impressively converted counter-attacks from a hungry Arua side were enough to determine Arua Hill SC return home with a first league win against UPL and CECAFA champions, Express FC.
On paper, Wasswa Bbosa’s Wankulukuku side came into the game as the stronger team and indeed even the in-game statistics will tell you that his squad created more opportunities that would have seen a full-time score in his favour.
Arua Hill SC kept the ball in Express’ half 20 minutes into the game but for the remaining part of the game, the home side put pressure on their visitor.
Livingstone Mbabazi’s broke the deadlock at the hour mark with a swift conversion from Robert Eseru and later in the 86th minute from Alfred Leku who needed no introduction from Express FC fans.
In other games, The Ankole Lions sit at the summit of the table after a 3-1 win over Bright Stars and Onduparaka draw against UPDF 1-1 at home.
Etoile de l'Est will play in top flight league for the first time since 1998 | Courtesy Photo
Etoile de l’est has been promoted to Rwanda Premier League after 23 years of exile from the top flight. They beat Amagaju on penalties to reach this long awaited achievement.
Etoile de l’est’s win on penalties over Amagaju FC ended a run of knocking the doors of top tier league including last season’s against Gorilla FC.
It was the most anticipated game of Rwanda Division 2 between two historic clubs in Rwandan Football since both sides shared the spoils as they drew 1-1 at Huye Stadium in first leg.
Today, October 12th, at Ngoma stadium, history has been made and the Eastern Province’s pride got a promotion to Premier League after victory on penalties against Nyamagabe based club.
It was level at the break before Pierre Bugingo finally broke the deadlock 10 minutes into the second half. However, Etoile de l’est’s joy didn’t last long as Amagaju FC, through Bashir Kabagema cancelled the lead 5 minutes later. After it ended 1-1 in regular time, Amagaju FC was edged out 6-5 in the shootout.
Elsewhere in another semi-final game, Gicumbi FC is back in the Premier League after a one-year absence. Gicumbi was promoted following a 2-1 triumph over Heroes FC in the 2nd leg.
Shadad Nsengayire and goal poacher, Bertin Dusenge scored for Gicumbi while Constantin Cyubahiro netted for the visitors.
The final whistle sparked jubilation for the Gicumbi people who are now part of the elite next season after being relegated last season for what they considered as injustice.
Gicumbi FC will lock horns with Etoile de l’est in the Second Division League Final on Friday, December 15, 2021.
The Luwero based club Ndejje University were on Sunday crowned champions of the National Club Championship after defeating Kampala based KCCA.
In the event that was scheduled for 9th and 10th in the beautiful hill packed Kabale district, Ndejje University emerged superior among all 14 women’s teams that participated in the National Club Championships.
Ndejje University after going past group stages was faced with a tough opponent, COBAP in the quarter-final who they overcame 3-0 to later face Serie B Women’s side Trust OBB.
Trust OBBdid a very job to eliminate league title holders KCB-Nkumba 3-1 to face Ndejje in the semi-finals but this was a hard pill for them to swallow. Ndejje University won the match 3-0.
On the other hand, KCCA defeated Nemo 3-0 to play Sport-S in the semi-finals in which the match ended 3-0. Both finalists, Ndejje and KCCA reached the finals after defeating their opponent in 3 straight sets but only Ndejje University could continue with this winning streak. Final score 3-0
The winner of the National Club Championship both in the men and women represents the country in the African Club Championship.
The men’s final was not played because of time and will be played at a later date that will be communicated by the federation.
The National Volleyball League is scheduled to launch on 23rd October 2021.
IPRC Kigali snapped the Patriots’ 22-game league win streak on Saturday with a 76-69 win at Kigali Arena. Saidi Amisi “Carmelo” was the standout for IPRC Kigali, scoring 25 points and 13 rebounds as the Patriots lost in BK National League for the first time since Feb. 14, 2020.
This Clash in the BKBNL Group A leaders saw the return of the big man, Saidi Amisi for the Kicukiro based club. Amisi who joined Uganda’s Power BC before the start of this season was back in IPRC Kigali following as Uganda National Basketball League could not be resumed due to the effects of covid 19.
Saidi Amisi had a nice game as he hit an incredible number from the mid-range shot and he also defended surprisingly well the times he was on Bush Wamukota.
In the game, IPRC Kigali led the first quarter by one, 15-14 but The Patriots reacted fast and took the lead before the break, 31-32. They extend the gap to finish the third quarter with an 8 points lead, 48-56.
In the last quarter, Bahufite’s team snuffed the deficit and took control of the game to claim the first win against the Patriots since January 17, 2020. The thriller ended 76-69.
Congolese center Saidi Amisi made a double-double in this victory, 25 points, and 13 rebounds. IPRC Kigali improves to a 10-1 win/loss record in the 2021 BK Basketball National League.
The Patriots were on 22 games win streak in the league as they last suffered a defeat on February 14, 2020 against REG BBC, 64-77.
In other game, REG BBC edged a 64-61 narrow win over APR BBC with hefty contributions from Beleck Bell (13 points), Dogget Quinton Meddrick, with 12 points, and Pascal Niyonkuru, who had 11 from the bench.
Manga Pitchu led the scoring for APR with 19 points and 13 rebounds, while Micheal Bwanga added 12 points.
REG BBC comfortably occupy the first spot in BKBNL Group B rankings after collecting the 4 points of yesterday’s game against APR. As a reminder, these teams drew in the first-leg match and the rule says that the winner of the second leg, pockets 4 points off two games and a looser takes 2.
Action between REG Women BBC (Red) and The Hoops Rwanda . Photo by Innocent Shema/REG
Following a three-year deal between Ubumwe Sports Initiative and Rwanda Energy Group for the latter to take management of the club, Ubumwe BBC, now REG Women BBC beat the defending champions, The Hoops Rwanda 54-40 for the first time in the league in the last 2 seasons.
Founded in 2011, Ubumwe BBC had maintained its name for 10 years until yesterday, Friday, September 24, 2021, when the Club owners, with the representatives of Rwanda Energy Group, unveiled a 3-year partnership deal to rebrand the Basketball Club as REG Women BBC with immediate effect.
Friday’s press conference to announce the new partnership deal between Ubumwe Sports Initiative and Rwanda Energy Group | Photo Credit : REG
New REG Women BBC did not disappoint in their first match after the new deal by dominating rival, The Hoops Rwanda in all quarters of the game. This all happened in front of the new club management and board members who were present at Amahoro to support the news cause.
In a short conversation with REG W BBC head Coach after this crucial victory, Esperance Mukaneza said that the new sponsorship deal has boosted the team’s financial status.
“As you can see, we brought back Rose Akon, we brought in another player, Mireille Nyota, who plays like a center, a post we had been suffering for a long time. These quality additions require resources in terms of money” said Mukaneza
She added that “The financial stability in the club have raised our moral as you have seen that we beat the title holders in style.”
The new brand, REG Women BBC played today’s game with notable absences include the injured Ange Nelly and Georgia Odhiambo who is out for national duty with Kenya Lionesses in Women’s AfroBasket. However, the info says that this Basketball Club has reached an agreement with National Women Basketball Captain, Tierra Henderson to help them in the playoffs.
Tierra will be added to Mireille Muganza Nyota and Rose Akon Paul to uplift the overall team performance and realize their dreams of clinching the league title for the first time since 2014.
Mireille Nyota Muganza, New REG W BBC Center scored 24 points, grabbed 25 rebounds and provided 6 assists on her debut | Photo: REG
The BK National Women’s League actions continue this Saturday, September 25, in Kigali Arena. REG W BBC face off the former champions, APR W BBC.
APR BBC Star, Armel Sangwe helps the Army side extend the undefeated run in BK Basketball National League | Photo Credit: FERWABA
APR Basketball Club breaks triple digits in their 141-40 victory against UR-CMHS. Every single player contributing to the scoreboard with eight players scoring in double-digits.
Following a two months-long halt, Rwanda’s BK Basketball National League resumed actions on Friday with 4 games on agenda, however, most of them had to be postponed due to heavy rain.
At Amahoro outdoor court, UR-CMHS hosted APR BBC and the Army side had no mercy for those students from the College of Medicine and Health Sciences as they handed them a heavy defeat of 141-40.
APR dominated all the quarters of the game and finish the game with more than a hundred points difference. 43-6, 28-15, 39-13, and 31-6.
Armel Sangwe scored a team-high 26 points and a game-high while Eric Munyaneza, in his first game back from a long injury, dropped a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds.
On the Rankings, APR BBC is now on a 7-games undefeated streak. After this match, they traveled to spend the night in Huye where they have a serious challenge in IPRC South.
In other fixtures of the day, Espoir BBC played 30 Plus BBC in a match that was worth 4 points due to a draw in the first leg. However, the rain did not bless the encounter as the game stopped with less than one minute and twenty-three seconds to end. Espoir was leading 57-44.
The game between Rusizi BBC and IPRC South had to be stopped due to heavy rain too while IPRC Musanze vs Shoot 4 stars was postponed before it started.
BKBNL continue today,
12:00 EAT, Tigers BBC vs IPRC Musanze @ Amahoro 14:00 EAT, Espoir BBC vs REG BBC @ Amahoro 14:00 EAT, UR Huye vs IPRC Kigali @ UR Huye 13:00 EAT, UR-CMHS vs Rusizi BBC @ IPRC South 15:00 EAT, IPRC South vs APR BBC @ IPRC South
The Volleyball Cranes No. 14 and assistant captain, Daudi Okello tops the score charts at the recently concluded Men’s African Nations Volleyball Championships.
Opposite attacker, Daudi Okello from Uganda made a huge statement after emerging as the players to have made the most points for the entire tournament. The opposite attacker accumulated 141 points from 124 attacks, 11 blocks and 6 serves.
Daudi Okello who currently plays for KAVC in Uganda has had stints for clubs in Turkey like Galatasaray HDI Sigorta, Tokat Belediye Plevne, and in Korea for Cheonan HC Skywalkers.
Sam Engwau is 3rd best blocker of the tournament
Okello was not the only player to make impressive stats, No. 3 Engwau Sam came in 3rd on the top blockers list, Okumu Smith came in as No. 1 setter of the tournament, Captain George Aporu, and Emmanuel Elanyu were among the top 10 diggers, and receivers of the ball.
Aporu George is 9th best digger and 7th best receiver of the tournament
For Uganda who was making its very first appearance at the Men’s African Nations Volleyball Championships, emerging in 5th place, and best in East African is a huge achievement and one that will be a challenge for them to maintain.
Emmanuel Elanyu is 8th best digger and 3rd best receiver of the tournament
Among the East African countries that participated in the championship, Uganda came out as number 1 followed by Rwanda, Kenya, South Sudan, and Tanzania in that order.
Uganda’s Volleyball Cranes had another chance to face rivals Rwanda and this time walked away with a victory that got them 5th place at the Men’s African Nations Volleyball Championship.
The Volleyball Cranes yesterday went down in the history books of Uganda volleyball after they beat neighbors Rwanda in a match that would determine who would take 5th place.
The crowd at Kigali Arena this time was not as big as it was in the Group A top spot decider between the two nations in the previous match where Rwanda overwhelmed Uganda.
Rwanda only managed to secure set 1 and the rest went to Uganda RWA 1-3 UGA. Uganda played this match with a lot more composure compared to the previous encounter.
According to statistics mistakes that lead to losing points, for example, poor service of the ball were reduced significantly with only 4 poor services from the entire match. The Volleyball Cranes also accumulated numerous points from attacks and blocks compares to Rwanda.
For a team making a debut at such a continental tournament, Uganda has indeed written history by achieving 5th place.
Tunisia defended the title after defeating Cameroon to record their 11th and Egypt beat Morocco to take the Bronze.
Tunisia is the champion of the Men’s African Nations Volleyball Championships.
Awards:
Best Server – Arthur Kody (Cameroon)
Best Blocker – Christian Voukeng Mbativou (Cameroon)
Best Setter – Khalid Ben Slimane (Tunisia)
Best Attacker – Wassim Ben Tara (Tunisia)
Best Receiver – Zouheir Elgraoui (Morocco)
Best Libero – Mohamed Reda (Egypt)
Most Valuable Player – Mohamed El Hachdadi (Morocco)
Wafalme Spikers celebrate after a win against Egypt. Photo Credit: FRVB
The Wafalme Spikers from Kenya unsettle pressured Egypt at the men’s African Nations Volleyball Championship opener.
Introduction
It was clear that this was the most anticipated match of the day and what better time to have it scheduled than after 8 pm.
What an unimaginable historical night in Kigali and even better in homes around Kenya as the underdogs of Wafalme Spikers edge giants from North Africa, Egypt. Both teams came into the game hungry for the win and the result is no other better manifestation for that.
Egypt is an 8-time winner of the men’s African Nations Volleyball Championships second to Tunisia whereas Kenya has not been at a semi-final for all the last 22 editions of the tournament.
A victory for Kenya against Egypt is a clear boost in team morale and hope that they can go a long way in this historical championship.
The last pointer in the decisive set was the deal-breaker when Egypt had the service but run the ball out of play and even before the ball touched the ground, the Wafalme Spikers were already up in the air jubilating a record made in the history of Kenyan Volleyball.
The proceeding ended 3-2 of course, in favor of Kenya. (18-25, 25-22, 25-20, 18-25, 15,12). Kenya now shares 3 points with Morocco who top the table after a 3-0 win over Tanzania who sits at the bottom of Group D.
Kenya continues its rally today against Morocco for the last game of the day and will conclude their group stage games on September 10th facing neighbors to the South, Tanzania in the 2nd match of that day.
How far can the Wafalme Spikers go in this historical tournament?
Rwanda made no mistake to collect maximum points against neighbor Burundi after a 3 straight sets win that puts them on top of Group A after matchday 1.
In front of a big crowd yesterday, Rwanda’s men’s national team displayed dominance over Burundi. This win puts them at the summit of Group A followed by Uganda, Burkina Fuso, and Burundi.
The boys from the country of a million hills had full command for the entire game giving away no set to their opponent. Burundi at the beginning had a brief lead in the 1st set but this only lasted a couple of points.
Burundi proved to be a threat in the 2nd set where they managed to score 19 points but this could not intimidate Rwanda. The 3rd and final set was tough for Burundi as they scored less than what came from previous sets. (15-25), (19-25), (12-25)
President Paul Kagame waves at the crowd. Photo Credit: FRVB
The president of the Republic of Rwanda Paul Kagame and Rwandan Minister of sports Mrs. Mumyangaju Mimosa were there to embrace the ceremony in support of their nation.
CAVB President at the event. Photo Credit: FRVB
In other games, Uganda played Burkina Fuso in the tournament’s opening match and the latter managed to win set 3 when the volleyball cranes headed by coach Shilla Omuriwe Buyungo lost a little composure but later regained control of the game to win 3-1. (25-15), (25-18), (26-28), (25-13).
Uganda celebrates victory over Burkina Fuso. Photo Credit: FRVB
In Match 2 Cameroon faced RDC, a match which ended in favor of Cameroon though, RDC managed to win one set. 3-1 (25-19), (22-25), (25-15), (25-17). Match 3 had to go into the decisive set as South Sudan and Ethiopia played a cat and mouse chase game. Ethiopia emerged victorious 2-3 (25-23), (20-25), (25-20), (21-25), (9-15).
Ethiopia celebrates victory over South Sudan. Photo Credit: FRVB
Match 4 between Mali and Niger was also a lengthy one with 5 sets played before a winner was decided. Mali walked away with the win despite 3 players getting injured 3-2 (21-25), (25-20), (31-33), (26-24), (15-12).
Mali celebrates victory over Niger. Photo Credit: FRVB
And the last match for the was between 10-time titler holder and defending champions Tunisia and Nigeria. Tunisia started their defense for the Men’s African Nations Volleyball Championship with a 3 straight sets win 3-0 (25-15), (25-21), (25-18)
Defending champions Tunisia after victory over Nigeria. Photo Credit: FRVB
Matches resume today as follows
10:00 Pool C: Niger vs RDC 12:00 Pool B: Tunisia vs Ethiopia 14:00 Pool B: Nigeria vs South Sudan 16:00 Pool C: Mali vs Cameroon 18:00 Pool D: Morocco vs Tanzania 20:00 Pool D: Kenya vs Egypt
