Kigali Titans beat Orion to win D2 Pre-season tournament

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February 21, 2022

Kigali Titans beat Orion to win D2 Pre-season tournament — Kigali Titans, FERWABA D2 Pre-season Champions

Kigali Titans have won FERWABA Division 2 Pre-season tournament, downing Orion in the finals to secure their first-ever piece of silverware.

The Titans were guided by experienced Cyrille Karima as a head coach, led by centre Umeadi Emmanuel who had 25 points and 27 rebounds in a dominant display to help this Kicukiro based club lift the first-ever trophy.

Orion got off to a slow start, 2-12 in the first five minutes of play however, they fought back to finish the first quarter with only 4 points behind. 12-16.

They kept the momentum and outscored the Kigali Titans in the second and third quarters 19-18 and 21-17 respectively. At the moment, Thadee Mutemberezi, the coach of Orion, was in total control and could have had more but, the Titans come out stronger in the last quarter and took the lead until the final whistle. Kigali Titans 70-61 Orion.

Umeadi Emmanuel scored a game-high 25 points, grabbed 27 rebounds. He shot 6 for 9 attempts and made 13 of 16 free throws. his teammate and former IPRC Kigali forward, Olivier Kamanzi added 18 points, 8 rebounds and 2 assists

Patrick Ngabonziza scored 18 points for Orion before he fouled out. Ngabonziza come off the bench to score and register a double-digit score in the 19 minutes he spent on court

Earlier, at the same venue, the Inspired Generation claimed third place after defeating the Hoops 86-71.

Only fully vaccinated fans were allowed to attend these games at Amahoro indoor court, Petit Stade and Rwanda Basketball D2 league first season is expected to be launched next month

Orion vs Elite headlines FERWABA D2 Pre-season tournament quarter-finals

By

Evode Munyeshuri

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February 18, 2022

Orion vs Elite headlines FERWABA D2 Pre-season tournament quarter-finals — Orion was defeated by Titans 71-60 in its opening game of group play

With the group stage games completed, Rwanda’s Basketball governing body, FERWABA announced the quarter-finals pairing. This Friday night, Orion, the new powerhouse will rub shoulders with 2021 Junior Basketball league champions Elite Basketball. Kigali Titans vs Wibena will be no doubt another exciting game of the quarterfinals

After dropping its opening game against Kigali Titans with notable absents, Orion thrashed ITS Kigali and UR Cavm to finish the Group A games in the second position behind Kigali Titans. Now, They look to carry that momentum from group play into Friday’s quarter-finals when they play Elite.

Elite enjoyed an unbeaten run in the group stages, picking up 4 wins against Wibena, UR-Huye, UR-CST and Vision BBC. The young lads led by coach Patrick Habiyaremye will experience a serious challenge in Orion since their squad is made up of youth while their opponent’s roster is dominated by leaders and experienced players from the top-flight teams.

The winner of that clash will face either The Hoops or Flame in the semi-finals

Elite, Kigali Titans, The Hoops went undefeated in group play to earn the top spots in Groups A, B and D, respectively. In group C, the Inspired Generation finished first but with 2-1 WL record.

Orion, B-Thunders, Flame and Wibena took the runners-up group spots to advance to the tournament’s knockout rounds too.

Quarter-Final Match-Ups

Friday, February 18, 2022

18:00 The Hoops vs Flame @ Amahoro Outdoor
18:00 B-Thunders vs I.Generation @ Petit Stade
20:00 Titans vs Wibena @ Amahoro Outdoor
20:00 Orion vs Elite @ Petit Stade

The Semi-finals are scheduled on Saturday, February 19 and the final on February 20th,

A late Kiyovu goal secures a thrilling 2-1 win against Gorilla FC.

By

Evode Munyeshuri

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February 12, 2022

A late Kiyovu goal secures a thrilling 2-1 win against Gorilla FC. — Serumogo and Muhozi celebrating the first goal for Kiyovu | Courtesy Photo

SC Kiyovu’s fighting spirit and never say die attitude paid off with a 2-1 win thanks to Gorilla’s Frank Coco’s late own goal to put the pressure back on APR FC and ensure the title race remains firm for them.

Kiyovu went ahead after 23 minutes when a great pass from Emmanuel Okwi set Ali Serumogo to finish with a fine shot. Gorilla was quick to level when Tharcisse Nshimiyimana scored the equalizer. 1-1 at the break.

Kiyovu attacker, Bienvenu Mugenzi was introduced at half-time interval and made the decisive contribution to the second goal as his cross was headed into the net by Gorilla’s defender, Frank Laurent Coco, an own goal in the last minute of additional time to make it 2-1

Kiyovu cut the deficit behind League leaders APR FC to two points. Hence the Army side must beat Gicumbi this Sunday to restore the 5 points lead at the top of the table

Elsewhere, Rayon Sports slumped a 1-0 loss at Mukura while Gasogi stun Marines 3-2 in early kickoff at Kigali Stadium

Sunday Fixtures

15:00, AS Kigali vs Espoir FC at Kigali Stadium
Rutsiro vs Etincelles at Umuganda Stadium
Bugesera vs Musanze at Bugesera Stadium
Gicumbi vs APR at Gicumbi Stadium
18:00, Police vs Etoile de l’Est at Kigali Stadium

Rwanda Premier League return leg set to kick off this weekend with Mukura hosting Rayon Sports.

By

Evode Munyeshuri

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February 11, 2022

Rwanda Premier League return leg set to kick off this weekend with Mukura hosting Rayon Sports. — Action between APR FC and Mukura in RPL MD15 | Photo Credit: Christophe Renzaho

The Rwanda top-tier league took a two week break after the first round matches. The action resumes this Saturday, February 12, 2022 with Mukura hosting Rayon Sports in a key clash for the two teams as they look to kick-off the second half of the campaign.

Rayon Sports, under the new coaching philosophy of Manuel da Silva Paixão, will kick start the second round away to Mukura at Huye Stadium. A number of new signings are set to feature and the blues are very excited to welcome back the trio of Pierre Kwizera, Kevin Ishimwe and Christophe Bukuru.

New signing Musa Esenu will hope to make his league debut for the blues after joining from Uganda Premier League side BUL FC.

Rayon Sports will be without Jean Marie Muvandimwe who is out with a fracture of nasal bones sustained during last month’s league encounter against Gasogi United.

The Huye based club, Mukura who will be led by coach Tonny Hernandez, will miss the services of Gibrin Akuki suspended after his red card against APR FC.

Elsewhere, Gasogi United will face Marines in the Saturday early kickoff at Kigali Stadium. Gasogi chairman, Kakooza Nkuriza Charles changed his mind following his decision to withdraw the team from competition.

Kiyovu have the chance to close the gap at the top to 2 points as they lock horns with an out-of-form Gorilla FC this Saturday before the Current table leaders APR face Gicumbi FC at Gicumbi Stadium on Sunday.

For more details about RPL Fixtures, Results, standings and players’ stats, follow this link

The 2021/2022 League is expected to climax on Monday, 30th May.

Armel Sangwe hits a buzzer-beater to help APR BBC defeat Patriots and clinch the Pre-season tournament trophy.

By

Evode Munyeshuri

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February 5, 2022

Armel Sangwe hits a buzzer-beater to help APR BBC defeat Patriots and clinch the Pre-season tournament trophy. — Armel Sangwe (black) looks unstoppable as he scored 19 points from the bench

Armel Sangwe dropped a game-high 19 points and knocked down the buzzer-beater to help APR Basketball Club secure the Pre-season trophy. They come from 7 points down in the third quarter to beat the Patriots in a nail-biting game at Amahoro Indoor court.

The Patriots led APR BBC 29-24 at the half (21-13, 8-11), expanding the lead in the third quarter (16-14) but failed to keep up with their offensive plays in the last quarter and fell down as APR cut the deficit to 52-55 with 2 minutes left.

With 43 seconds left, The score was tight 55-56 in favour of APR. Bello Nkanira’s three-pointer with 32 seconds to play gave the Patriots a 58-56 lead until APR’s Armel Sangwe hit a ridiculous buzzer-beating three to win the game. 59-58.

Rwanda and APR Shooting guard, Armel Sangwe finished the game with 19 points, 3 assists and shot just 6-of-13 from the field while Enock Isezerano added 14 points.

On the other side, the Patriots’ Bienvenu Niyonsaba scored a team-high 13 points and Sedar Sagamba contributed 11.

In the women’s category, REG Women BBC beat APR W BBC 51-42 to claim the trophy. Feza Ebengo produced 17 points for REG while APR Captain, Charlotte Umugwaneza scored the game-high 19 points.

The regular season of the National League tips off tentatively in the first week of March 2022.

Marines lose to Espoir FC as Fiston Ishimwe misses a penalty

By

Evode Munyeshuri

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February 3, 2022

Marines lose to Espoir FC as Fiston Ishimwe misses a penalty — Espoir FC| Photo Credit : Rwanda Magazine

Espoir FC defeated Marines 1-0 at Umuganda Stadium in a postponed match of day 13. Fiston Ishimwe misses a penalty that would have put Marines level.

In a match of the 13th round of the Rwanda Premier League, which was postponed from January 18, 2022, for the reasons related to covid 19, Marines FC, at their home stadium failed to score for the first time since December 8, 2021, against Mukura VS.

Before this match, Yves Rwasamanzi’s lads were on a winning streak of 4 matches and the team looked so solid at the back with a Chris Rushema and Jean De Dieu Hirwa partnership that kept 3 clean sheets in their last 3 matches.

In the game, Marines should have taken the lead in the 15th minute however, the striker Nzungu Mfitumukiza missed a clear cut chance. a killer through pass from Maestro Fiston Ishimwe.

On the other side, Muhozi who was playing his last game for Espoir tried to use his pace down the wings but he was not clinical as usual. Thus a goalless draw at the break.

At the 69th minute of the game, Yves Habimana netted the only goal of the match to hand the visitors a well-needed victory. He scored 8 minutes after coming on as a substitute for Fred Muhozi.

12 minutes later, Olivier Nshimiyimana was brought down in the box but Marines missed the chance to draw level with a penalty of their own. Fiston Ishimwe saw his spot-kick hit the woodwork. He would have scored his 6th goal of the season.

Today’s win helped Mousa Gatera and Espoir finish the first leg in the top 10 with 7 points clear to the relegation zone. Marines are in the eighth position.

Second leg matches commence on February 12th.

Team Line Ups:

Marines: Jean Luc Tuyizere, Djuma Mutuyimana, Chris Rushema, Jean De Dieu Hirwa, Felicien Hakizimana (C) , Theotime Ntakirutimana, Froduard Mugiraneza, Fiston Ishimwe, Amimu Nahimana, Olivier Nshimiyimana, and Nzungu Mfitumukiza

Espoir FC: Patience Niyongira, Jacques Ahishakiye, Felicien Hakizimana (C), Twagirimana, Philbert Shyaka, Djafar Uwizeye, Peter Valens Iyakaremye, Tresor Ndikumana, Victor Murdah, Fred Muhozi, and Isah Akor Umor

Mukura VS beat APR FC to end their 50-game unbeaten record in the Rwanda Premier League.

By

Evode Munyeshuri

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February 1, 2022

Mukura VS beat APR FC to end their 50-game unbeaten record in the Rwanda Premier League. — Mukura players that ended APR's unbeaten streak | Photo: Rwanda Magazine

February 1, 2022, Mukura Victory Sports & Loisirs won 0-1 at Kigali Stadium to end APR’s unbeaten streak of 50 league games. Moise Nyarugabo scored the only goal of a postponed match of day 6, a match played in two days.

Due to the heavy downpour in Kigali, the game was interrupted at halftime and as per the rules of the competition, the match had to be resumed in the next 24 hours at the same venue from the time it stopped. The Huye based club, Mukura was leading the army side by 1-0.

A remarkable effort from the yellow and black for having dominated the first half played on January 31 and score a goal, then the defence stood firm in the 45 minutes of the second half paid off to claim not only 3 points of the game, but also the crucial win to mark the end of APR FC unbeaten record in the Rwanda Premier League.

The APR’s streak started under coach Zlatko Krmpotić, on 01 June 2019 with a 2-0 win over Police FC and included their back-to-back title-winning seasons of 2019-20 and 2020-21.

Although Zlatko left in June 2019, the run continued under his replacement Erradi Mohammed Adil from August 2019 to February 2022 to make it 50 (W39 D11).

The last time APR lost a League game was in May 2019, 2-1 to Espoir FC at Kigali Stadium.

Mukura can proudly say that they are the only team to stop APR in the Rwandan league since 2019. They will kick off the second leg matches under the stewardship of Tonny Hernandez who was in the stands observing and encouraging the lads led by the interim coach, Canisius Nshimiyimana.

KNC withdraw Gasogi United from RPL following a 1-0 drama defeat against Rayon Sports in MD15

By

Evode Munyeshuri

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January 27, 2022

KNC withdraw Gasogi United from RPL following a 1-0 drama defeat against Rayon Sports in MD15 — Kakooza Nkuriza Charles., The President and Spokesman of Gasogi United | Photo: Gasogi United

Rayon Sports beat Gasogi United 1-0 at Kigali Stadium in the last match of Rwanda Premier League first leg. Justin Mico scored the all-important goal in the 62nd minute to bag all three points for Rayon Sports. Marc Nkubana scored the equalizer but the referee ruled it as offside. This decision was overwhelming for Gasogi’s president that he declare the withdrawal of the team from the competition with immediate effect.

In a post-match interview, Gasogi United President and club spokesman at the same time, Kakooza Nkuriza Charles known as KNC, said that what he has been experiencing in Rwanda football is unspeakably evil acts which led him to take his team out of the competition.

He said, “the referees did this willingly because I once said that the Referee Commission should resign. These well-orchestrated things prove that the Federation is full of mafias, dirt and so on. We have decided to withdraw our team from this competition with effect from today.”

KNC has recently been sentenced by the disciplinary commission to four matches ban for undermining a referee who officiated his side’s 3-2 defeat to the Police FC.

For more details about RPL fixtures, results, standings, and players’ stats, follow this link

NVL: Nkumba Boys Take It Out On KAVC-A

By

Kenneth Lwanga

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January 24, 2022

Nkumba Unversity Men’s Team yesterday made a come from a 3-2 loss to Nemo Stars by defeating KAVC-A 3-1.

Entebbe based club, Nkumba started round 2 of the National Volleyball League with a strong resistance that resulted in a 3-2 loss however they bagged 1 point from the fight. KAVC-A was a redeemer for the boys following that loss.

Coach Daniel Okwee’s side started the match strong claiming the first set but later gave in to the Nkumba Boys’ resilience to register a fourth loss in the 10 games played. The Entebbe club drifts away from KAVC-A who have a challenging upcoming match against Nemo Stars.

Nkumba will travel to Mukono next weekend to play UCU who have move up one spot at the bottom of the table but still in relegation zone together with bottom placed strangling Airforce Volleyball Club.

They boys will later host National Club Championship champions, Sport-S in a match that will most likely determine their chances to play at the playoffs come end of regular season.

For detailed statistics on the Men’s Serie A click here

AS Kigali draw with APR FC in Mutebi’s debut while Kiyovu come from behind to beat Espoir FC 2-1 and go top of RPL

By

Evode Munyeshuri

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January 22, 2022

AS Kigali draw with APR FC in Mutebi’s debut while Kiyovu come from behind to beat Espoir FC 2-1 and go top of RPL — The battle between AS Kigali and APR FC was real | Photo Credit: IGIHE

AS Kigali drew 0-0 with APR FC in Mike Mutebi’s first game in charge. Earlier, at the same venue, Thierry Ndayishimiye and Abedi Bigirimana helped the greens come from behind to beat Espoir and earn massive three points of Matchday 14.

Mutebi’s first game in charge of AS Kigali was against APR FC, the defending champions, and the two sides fought out a 0-0 draw to allow Kiyovu to retain the first spot in Rwanda Premier League

The Ugandan gaffer who was unveiled as AS Kigali head coach three days ago made some changes in tactical formation and start with three at the back compared to 4-3-3 played by previous coaches.

In his post-match interview, Mike Mutebi insisted that his players are still adapting to his tactical approach and promised a bright future.

“My players did adapt well. You know, because of a new style of play, they are not used to..but you could see that they did their level best. So, I see they still have a lot to learn” Mike Mutebi said

He added, “This is a marathon, We shall still push on. Our objective still stands, we want to win the trophy, and to do that we must have won our games and try to go back and win a trophy. So, we are determined to do so”

Asked if he will sign new players to freshen up the squad, the Ugandan tactician said that he will emphasize on ensuring the players who are around, give them confidence and belief.

Earlier, in a lunchtime match, Abedi Bigirimana’s 65th-minute header saw the leaders Kiyovu complete a come-back from behind to win 2-1 against Espoir FC at Kigali Stadium. Haringingo’s side conceded a goal in the 33rd minute when Felecien Nkurunziza converted through a well-taken free-kick from Tresor Ndikumana.

Thierry Ndayishimiye equalized two minutes after the break before Abedi Bigirimana netted the winning goal in the 65th minute and the goal is his 6th in the 2021/2022 season.

SC Kiyovu is back on the top again. Their next game is against Marines at Umuganda.

Kigali Titans beat Orion to win D2 Pre-season tournament

Kigali Titans have won FERWABA Division 2 Pre-season tournament, downing Orion in the finals to secure their first-ever piece of silverware.

Orion vs Elite headlines FERWABA D2 Pre-season tournament quarter-finals

A late Kiyovu goal secures a thrilling 2-1 win against Gorilla FC.

SC Kiyovu’s fighting spirit and never say die attitude paid off with a 2-1 win thanks to Gorilla’s Frank Coco’s late own goal to put the pressure back on APR FC and ensure the title race remains firm for them.

Rwanda Premier League return leg set to kick off this weekend with Mukura hosting Rayon Sports.

Armel Sangwe hits a buzzer-beater to help APR BBC defeat Patriots and clinch the Pre-season tournament trophy.

Armel Sangwe dropped a game-high 19 points and knocked down the buzzer-beater to help APR Basketball Club secure the Pre-season trophy. They come from 7 points down in the third quarter to beat the Patriots in a nail-biting game at Amahoro Indoor court.

Marines lose to Espoir FC as Fiston Ishimwe misses a penalty

Espoir FC defeated Marines 1-0 at Umuganda Stadium in a postponed match of day 13. Fiston Ishimwe misses a penalty that would have put Marines level.

Mukura VS beat APR FC to end their 50-game unbeaten record in the Rwanda Premier League.

February 1, 2022, Mukura Victory Sports & Loisirs won 0-1 at Kigali Stadium to end APR’s unbeaten streak of 50 league games. Moise Nyarugabo scored the only goal of a postponed match of day 6, a match played in two days.

KNC withdraw Gasogi United from RPL following a 1-0 drama defeat against Rayon Sports in MD15

NVL: Nkumba Boys Take It Out On KAVC-A

Nkumba Unversity Men’s Team yesterday made a come from a 3-2 loss to Nemo Stars by defeating KAVC-A 3-1.

AS Kigali draw with APR FC in Mutebi’s debut while Kiyovu come from behind to beat Espoir FC 2-1 and go top of RPL

AS Kigali drew 0-0 with APR FC in Mike Mutebi’s first game in charge. Earlier, at the same venue, Thierry Ndayishimiye and Abedi Bigirimana helped the greens come from behind to beat Espoir and earn massive three points of Matchday 14.

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