Twenty-five teams from 13 countries in both men and women categories have already registered to participate in the International Sand Volleyball Tournament, Rubavu Beach Volleyball World 2 StarTour tournament scheduled from July 14 in Rwanda, Rubavu district.
The Rubavu Beach Volleyball has been postponed on numerous occasions citing issues brought about by the global pandemic COVID-19, however, between July 14th and 18th, 2021, this festive Beach Volleyball party will take place on the sandy shores of Lake Kivu. 25 teams in both men’s and women’s categories have confirmed their participation.
Among the 14 men’s teams that have already confirmed their participation are 2 teams from Rwanda, 3 from Austria, 2 from the Czech Republic, 1 from Egypt, 1 from Italy, 2 from Slovenia, 1 from Denmark, 1 from Greece, and 1 from Norway.
Of the 11 confirmed women’s teams, there are 2 teams from Rwanda, 2 from Austria, 1 from the Netherlands, 2 from Slovenia, 2 from Switzerland, 1 from Ukraine, and 1 from Scotland.
Rwanda Governing board of Volleyball, FRVB the organizer of the Rubavu Beach Volleyball, also announced that other teams could be added, which will be done no later than 30 days before the start of the tournament.
Rwanda hosted this kind of tournament (Rubavu Beach Volleyball) in 2019. The games were held in Rubavu on the shores of Lake Kivu, but it was a 1 star where Japan’s Shoji and Kurasaka defeated England’s Javier and Joaquin at the semi-final stage to clinch a spot at the final. The Japanese later faced a tough opponent in Denmark’s Overgaard and Jacob in a tightly contested match in which they came back to win 2-1 (12-21, 21-17, and 17-15) and claim gold.
In the lady’s competitions, The Netherlands’ Mexime and Iris won in the women’s final 2-0 (21-16, 23-21) over Denmark’s Signe and Cecile. Rwanda Emerged 4th.
Defender Kiyemba scored the only Important goal as the slaughters punished URA FC at Nakisunga Playground in Mukono.
The composed defender who was a late substitute scored from a direct free kick in the 78th minute to kill off the game.
The game looked destined for a draw due to URA FC’s resilience but Kyetume FC was gifted with a set-piece in a dangerous position that won the game.
Much credit will go to coach Jackson Mayanja that made life so difficult for the on-form URA FC. Nicholas Kasozi and veteran striker Robert Sentongo were all over the pitch helping put their teammates and made trouble for URA FC defense.
As it stands, League is left with only 5 games.
The remaining fixtures for the Top 3 teams.
Express FC.
Kitara FC. (H)
Wakiso Giants FC. (A)
Myda FC. (H)
Bul FC. (H)
KCCA FC. (A)
URA FC.
UPDF FC. (H).
Busoga United FC. (A)
Kitara FC. (H)
Wakiso Giants FC. (A)
Myda FC. (H)
Vipers SC.
Soltilo Bright Stars FC. (A)
Onduparaka FC. (H)
Bul FC. (A)
Police FC. (A)
Kyetume FC. (H).
Express FC has lost only 2 games, drawn 7, and won 16 in 25 games played with 55 points. They have the meanest defence in the league having conceded only 13 goals and scored 40goals with a one-point lead at the summit.
Patriots Players celebrating after the win against Rivers Hoopers | Credit: Kigali Today
Patriots BC goes in the book as the first team to win a Basketball Africa League, BAL game.
Rwanda’s Patriots BC win the first game of the inaugural Basketball Africa League in the game the famous American rapper, J.Cole made his pro basketball debut.
Patriots that had an unbeaten record in the 2 rounds of Qualifiers, started the inaugural Basketball Africa League games on a high note, beating the Nigerian giants, Rivers Hoopers 83-60 in an eye-catching game that was a mixture of talent showcase and entertainment.
Kigali Arena is hosting the Basketball Africa League games. A small number of fans are invited too as long as they respect the guidelines to prevent COVID-19 | Credit: Kigali Today
In the first quarter, Rwanda’s Pride, Patriots trailed Rivers Hoopers 18-17 but quickly turned things around in the three first minutes of the second quarter by making a 13-0 run. At this time, the host Patriots took control of the game with the help of Kigali Arena’s crowd. At the break, the Rwandan side was leading with a 9 points difference. 43-34
In the last two quarters of the game, the home side had nothing rather than consolidate the victory through their rich Squad. 22-10, 18-16 to make it 83-60 at the full time.
In this game, 38.5% of the Patriots’ points were from the bench while their opponent’s bench managed to score 28% of 60 points scored in the whole game. Nigerian side, Rivers Hoopers’ biggest lead was 8 points in the first quarter while the Patriots’ biggest lead was 29 points.
Patriots’ new addition and Rwanda National team center, Prince Ibeh, in 24 minutes played, contributed 11 points, 11 rebounds, and 3 blocked shots in the winning cause. Patriots’ Brandon Costner’s 20-point performance earned him a player of the Game award.
In this Basketball Africa League opening game, the American rapper, Jermaine Lamarr Cole ‘J. Cole’ who released his latest album The “Off-Season” on Friday, May 14, 2021, while he was in camp with Patriots, played his first Profession basketball game as he has never ceased to express his love for this game. As a reminder, this famous rapper is not new in Basketball as he was a star basketball player at Sanford High School and St. John’s University. Last year, J. Cole got a tryout offer from the NBA side, Detroit Pistons.
American rapper and basketball player, J. Cole featured in the opening game for Patriots BC | Courtesy Photo
The Basketball Africa League games continue this Monday as Senegal’s AS Douanes plays Algerian’s GS Petrolies in the early first game before Zamalek faces Ferroviario de Maputo then we end the day with another entertaining game of Group A, US Monastir vs GNBC.
Matchday 3 of the 2021 Futsal Super League season marked the end of the first round of encounters after a remarkably enjoyable return of Futsal action in the country.
As of 15th May, a total of 12 games have been played with an impressive total of 96 goals by all teams and averaging 8 goals per game.
Big Talent FC soccer academy has scored more goals. 16 more than any other side after the first round.
Kampala Junior Team FC is the only team yet to pick a point after 3 games with the worst defensive record of 22 goals conceded.
Synergy FC’s victory stretched their position at the log to 7 points, 3 ahead of Kisenyi FC.
Rwandan Danny Kirenga continues to impress in the Bukavu League after four consecutive wins for his side BC Ami-BK.
After spells in top-flight league basketball clubs like APR BBC and 30 Plus BBC, St Joseph Kabgayi, and KIE, former Rwandan basketball player, Danny Kirenga caught the attention of the Bukavu basketball side BC Ami-BK.
The team went ahead to sign a deal with the Rwandan coach to guide and share his experience with the players for a good two years
Today, BC Ami-BK started their second leg matches with a heavy win against Bagira BC, 92-41, the same side they defeated, 86-48 in the last round of the first leg. Ami-BK led all quarters of the game, 17-11,23-11,26-10,26-09.
BC Ami-BK Head Coach Danny Kirenga has never recorded a single loss since he took over.
BC Ami-BK plays in the Bakavu League, a league played in the city of Bukavu located far east of the Democratic Republic of Congo at the western border of Rwanda, south of Lake Kivu.
Bukavu League has 16 teams which are divided into 2 groups this year. Each group containing 8 teams with Danny Kirenga’s Ami-BK in the group that plays games at ISP de Bukavu.
In the interview with Coach Danny Kirenga, He tells us about his journey to the DRC, their league level, and what he thinks he will benefit from as a start-up coach.
When asked how the DRC Championship, especially the Bukavu League compares to the Rwandan Championship, coach Danny Kirenga said.
“Let me talk about our Bukavu League. Here we only use the nationals and mostly young players due to the grassroots development system that has already been established here. Bukavu has five basketball academies. Therefore, they give the opportunity to young players, then add few experienced players to uplift the overall performance, while in Rwandan League, teams can acquire foreigners and the numbers of young players in the title contenders’ clubs are very small plus DRC Basketball is very physically because of the youth.”
You had been a great player in Rwanda, you served as the team manager of Espoir. Why did you choose to start a coaching career abroad instead of following the footstep of your fellow generation mates?
“My dream was a technical direction call. I had also tried to run for a technical advisory post in the federation, although I did not make it,” he said.
“However, the fact that you have been a player, been a technical staff member, you are in contact with the coaches which means that you have skills and connections. That is how I found myself in Bukavu. They approached me since they knew me as a player, knew my ability to transmit the knowledge/skills of Basketball I have,” he added.
Coach Danny Kirenga was part of GS Joseph Kabgayi’s generation that played in the first division along with Coach John Bahufite, Coach Manu, Coach Yves Nkurunziza to mention but a few.
What responsibilities were you given when you signed the contract and what are your goals for the first year as head coach?
“When I signed the contract at BC AMI-BK, I was asked to win the Bukavu League, and qualify the team in the “Coupe du Congo” in Kinshasa, a tournament contested by regional winners to decide the country’s champion,” he said.
Personally, I would like to qualify the team to “Coupe du Congo” first then go further and finish in the top four. Usually, Teams from the East, I mean from Bukavu and Goma, get out of the tournament (Coupe du Congo) early. I want to compete until the last four,” he added.
How was the club before you joined it, the current situation, and your strategies to get it to the top spot?
“At the time I signed for this club, they struggled in defense. Consequently, they had lost against Mandeleo, which tops the ranking. They used to score many points but defensively, they were not organized and sometimes lost concentration easily. Therefore, that is the first thing I had to work on. Even the club leaders before hiring me told me about it. They wanted me to solve those defense issues,” said the new coach.
“For me, as a former defensive player. That is an easy task. I am helping them, learning is a process, and I can see the improvement. Because since I took over no opponent has been able to score at least 60 points in the game,” Danny Kirenga added.
Mr. Danny Kirenga, finally yet important, what are you benefiting from coaching in DRC?
“Coaching is the most challenging career, I have to work hard and I am not here for only coaching purposes but also to learn. There are basketball academies, we don’t have them in Rwanda. So, as a technically oriented person, I always acquire skills in development, talent detection, and in the near future, I will connect the players to my fellow coaches in Rwanda. There are talents, some promising players,” Danny Kirenga ended.
In all eight games played, seven from the first leg and one from the second leg so far, Mandeleo BC is leading the table after winning all eight games followed by BC Ami-BK that has lost one of the eight in the group which is based at the Institut Superieur Pedagogique de Bukavu, ISP.
The playoffs are expected to be played in the first days of July.
The Futsal Super League FSL continued over the weekend with 4 games on card played at the new Arena, Old Kampala Sports Arena.
MD2 RESULTS.
Aidenal SOSA FC 2-3 Big Talent FC.
Mengo FC 3-1 Kampala Junior Team FC.
Kisenyi FC 4-3 Yeak Kabowa FC.
Park FC 5-5 Synergy FC.
Singer Eddie Kenzo’s owned Big Talent FC and Mengo FC maintained winning ways beating Aidenal SOSA Fc and Kampala Junior Team Fc respectively.
Big Talent FC duo Faisal Wabyoona the Uganda Cranes cubs playmaker and teammate Farouk Tumwesigye lead the top performers with six and five goals respectively.
The games will continue with Match Day 3 on Saturday 15th May at the same venue.
Yunus Sentamu and Milton Marisa scored for the champions Vipers SC in a space of 3 minutes in the second half to earn the 3points.
Titleholders win at MTN Philip Omondi Stadium to keep pressure on URA FC who lead the log with a one-point advantage.
Vipers SC completely ended KCCA FC’s title hopes with two quick second-half goals. The St Mary’s based club was registering their first win at Lugogo since season 2016/1017 when they won this fixture with the same result.
Yunus Sentamu got Vipers SC’s first goal in the 55th minute adding on his tally to make it 13 league goals. Milton Karisa scored a beautiful volley from Aziz Kayondo’s cross after KCCA FC’s young stars Hassan Jurua’s mistake to make it 2goals in the 57th min.
KCCA FC players made a quick response and through former Uganda Cranes defender, Denis Iguma got one goal back in the 65th minute. It was all KCCA FC attacking in the last 20 minutes of the game. Vipers SC had all to keep the lead to remain chasing the tax collectors who have one point advantage with the same games.
Club Captain Shafiq Kagimu Kuchi scored a brace for his paymasters URA FC.
It was all smiles for URA FC’s camp after defeating Onduparaka FC at home Visions of Arena Ndejje University grounds in Luwero. Desse Mukwala added another to condemn a straight 5th League loss to Arua side Onduparaka FC.
URA FC has on many occasions made it clear with the superb performances that they are ready to champions this season. The club seems to be hungry for success.
After a dramatic exit from the Stanbic Uganda Cup in the last 16, at the hands of cup record champions Express FC, URA FC got back to winning ways at home in Luwero.
It only took 8 minutes for URA FC to open their account against the caterpillars. Skipper Kuchi scoring his 8th goal of the season.
The tax collectors couldn’t stop attacking, club top performer Desse Mukwala extended the lead in the 40th min with a clinical volley, as he continues to chase for the golden boot together with Vipers SC talisman Yunus Ssentamu who is at 12 league goals.
The caterpillars had nothing to lose and charged forward and got one goal back in the 54th minute through Mahad Ajobe.
URA FC skipper opened a 2 goal deficit in the 61st minute making life more difficult to Arua based side adding on his tally to make it 9 goals.
The tax collectors will visit Vipers SC in a title decider-like game on May 12th. Desse Steven Mukwala picked up the man of the match performance.
The 47th edition of the Uganda Cup will be played in Masinfi Municipal stadium. This was confirmed in the FUFA EXCOM meeting that was held on 30th April 2021.
To make a date in the last eight of the Stanbic Bank Uganda Cup, Vipers SC outplayed resilient UPDF FC. Coach Keffa Kisala’s team had a huge mountain to climb when they received the fixture but had nothing but to honor it.
Record cup holders Express FC defeated current league leaders with a one-point gap advantage. Not good for URA FC in the Stanbic Bank Uganda Cup.
Coach Waswa Bbosa told club media “what is important in football is preparation, we knew we had to either win or draw courtesy of our first-leg win at home. Thankfully we’ve managed to hold them and here we are in the last eight.”
“We play as a unit and fought as a team. that’s why we’ve managed to soldier on and achieve our target as a club this season.” He added.
Wakiso Giants FC defeated big league side Tooro United FC. Viane Ssekajugo had to rescue the Wakiso based club in a hard-fought win.
Sc Villa Jogoo defeated Arua side Onduparaka FC with a one-goal advantage in two leagues in a much-contested encounter in West Nile.
KCCA FC outplayed Prison side Maroons FC scoring a total of 5 goals in all legs. Sada Anaku, Hassan Sserwadda, and second-half substitute Juma Balinya scored the goals.
Big talent FC’s Shafic Ssali scored 5 goals for his master and was the top performer for matchday 1 producing 23 goals.
Debutant club Big talent FC and Synergy FC won big on matchday 1 of the Futsal Super League FSL. They had an impressive performance putting 11 goals past KJT FC.
Farouk Tumwesigye got himself a hat trick together with Faisal Wabyoona who was with the U20 Uganda Cranes team in Mauritania.
Surprising for matchday 1, Dan Wagaluka the former Uganda Cranes player turned up for KJT FC and scored for his new masters.
Yunusu Kezimbira got a hat trick while Francis Jurua, Billy Nkata, Geoffrey Nvule and Dan scored one each.
Henry Stuart Kafuluma got a hat trick for Mengo FC, The other goals came from Muwonge, Geoffrey Atuhairwe, Kawesa, Abdalah and George Vasio Okecho.
Top performers.
Shafic Ssali (Big talent) 5 goals.
Farouk Tumwesigye (Big talent) 3 goals.
Yunusu Kezimbira (KJT FC) 3 goals.
Stuart Henry (Mengo FC) 3 goals.
Sam Kalyango (Park FC) 2 goals.
Morris Makango (Aidenal SOSA FC) 2 goals.
Sadam Abdallah Hussein (Kisenyi FC ) 2 goals.
