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Emotion In The Morocco Camp At The U21 Men’s Championship

Emotion In The Morocco Camp
Morocco's captain Mohamed Yakki in tears after his side lost

Morocco started their campaign with a defeat from Cameroon and captain Mohamed Yakki could not help but cry.

1 set to 3 was how it ended for Morocco in their opening match of the Men’s U21 African Nations Championship. Captain, Mohamed Yakki did not take this defeat lightly when burst into tears. His colleagues were there to comfort him. The younger player most probably believed that there was an equal chance for his side to win.

The country has suspended sports activities in a bid to put a stop to the spread of COVID-19 so this could explain the team’s performance, however would not come as an excuse. Nevertheless, Morocco head coach Moujoud Ismail expressed satisfaction toward his team saying, “The performance of my team was heroic, despite the loss, we have very good individuals. I’d like to thank the players and the technical staff for their effort in the Covid-19 situation, after a complete year without any activity.”

Morocco only managed to win set 2 in a close 25-23 score but Cameroon had the 1st, 3rd and last set to win the match. Despite the victory, Cameroon head coach Litouang Albert expected a better win mentioned that the team’s performance faded in the 2nd set allowing Morocco to capitalize on that opportunity to win the set.

In other games of day one, the host Egypt made a statement after defeating Congo 3-0. At the end of day one of the competitions, the Moroccans sit in 3rd place meaning they have their work cut if they want to represent Africa at the 2021 FIVB Men’s U21 World Championship. Egypt is the favourite at the top followed by Cameroon and Congo at the bottom fo the table.

 

Ian Collins Murungi A Rising Star At AFRIYEA Golf Academy.

Ian Collins Murungi A Rising Star At AFRIYEA Golf Academy.

14-year-old Ian Collins Murungi born to Joseph Ategeka and Topista Tuhaise is a senior 2 student at St. Mark College Masaka. 

Ian Collins got to know about AFRIYEA Golf Academy through Maurice Barnes and he is one of the pioneer students at the academy that opened in September 2020. Ian is described as a calm and friendly character.

What are your dreams after schools and how do you think golf will help you achieve those dreams?

“My dream for the future is when I complete my studies, I want to become a doctor. Becoming a doctor not only requires knowledge from school but also requires mental ability and a certain way of understanding things. Golf will help me build my mental ability and I believe that I am at the right place here at AFRIYEA Golf Academy,” said Ian Collins.

Do you expect to achieve anything as a golfer too?

“Apart from becoming a doctor, I would also like to achieve as a golfer. My target is to play with the National Team and I know that through hard work, discipline, respect of coaches, and getting good clubs, I will one day join the national team,” he said.

How did you feel when you won the first tournament?

“I have only won once. My first tournament was the recently concluded Venus Open that was held at Toro club. I was very happy and surprised because I didn’t expect it,” Ian Collins added.

What do you have to say to the young generation out there who haven’t joined the academy and wish to play golf?

“I am encouraging all the kids outside there to come and join the AFRIYEA Golf Academy because it’s the best golf academy in Uganda, Africa. The academy does not only give skills of playing golf but they also tell us to focus on our academics and environment conservation,” he said.

AFRIYEA Golf Academy continues to empower young golfers in the country and their track record so far is one to be reckoned with.

Nshobozwabyosenumukiza’s outstanding performance handed Rwanda a win against South Sudan

Nshobozwabyosenumukiza
Rwandan Point guard, Jean Jacques Nshobozwabyosenumukiza (Blue) | Photo: FIBA

7 points from Overtime and 15 points in general scored by Jean Jacques Nshobozwabyosenumukiza gave Rwanda a win over South Sudan. The team’s only win in the concluded 2021 Afrobasket Qualifiers Group D.

With a draught of no-wins ever since the 2021 AfroBasket Qualifiers competitions started, the host of the main event finally registered one win. The first window was held at Kigali Arena, Kigali and Rwanda under the guidance of coach Vladimir Bosnjak lost all three games. He later resigned at the end of the 1st window games.

When it came to the 2nd window, Vladimir Bosnjak’s then-assistant coach Henry Mwinuka was assigned the task to take over as head coach. Henry did not start his tenure well when he lost the first two games but the efforts were rewarded in his last game of the 2nd window thanks to an outstanding performance from Nshobozwabyosenumukiza.

South Sudan that came in this match after securing their qualification last night, were giving the balls away too easily. South Sudan’s 8 turnovers in the first quarter and 26 in regular time were not good enough for Rwanda who didn’t manage to take advantage of that. South Sudan made altogether 31 turnovers in the whole match but still, Rwanda, who made 13 less, didn’t score many points from those turnovers compared to South Sudan.

South Sudan led two quarters on a one-point difference, 19-18 in the first Quarter and 10-10 in the second quarter. In the third quarter, Rwanda took the led through the shooting guard, Kenneth Gasana who made 14 points in the 3rd and 4th quarters. Rwanda ended the 3rd Quarter high, 15-09 before South Sudan fought back to force them into overtime. The regular time ended with a 53-53 tie.

In the Overtime, South Sudan made numerous turnovers again, but this time the Rwandan point guard, Jean Jacques Nshobozwabyosenumukiza took advantage of the opportunity to score 7 out of 9 points that Rwanda scored in overtime. 62-58 was the final score in favor of Rwanda. Jean Jacques Nshobozwabyosenumukiza was a hero in this game simply based on the effort he showed by stealing balls. He made 14 steals in this game.

Jean Jacques handed Henry Mwinuka his first win as the national team head coach. Remember that Henry Mwinuka is also Jean Jacques’ head coach at REG BBC.

UVF Technical Director Tony Lakony To Have High Level Coaches On His Commission

UVF Technical Director Tony Lakony
Coach Tony Lakony
The newly appointed Uganda Volleyball Federation UVF Technical Director Tony Lakony hints on his commission to include high-level coaches in the country.

The Volleyball Governing Body of Uganda, UVF elected Board Of Administrators on Tuesday, February 16th, 2021 after a vetting process appointed 7 additional Heads Of Commissions to fully constitute a new Board Of Administrators.

The position of Technical Director is one that has been highly discussed as one that is of great importance in the development of volleyball in the country with coach Tony Lakony among those in the debate. The Federation executives did not turn a deaf eye to the concerns raised by coach Tony.

In the list released by the federation today, Tonny  Lakony has been appointed as the Technical Director Head of Coaches Commission. Coach Tony Lakony in his most recent duties has coached the Senior Ladies National Volleyball Team where Uganda was the host of the Women’s Zone 5 All Africa Games Qualifiers in May 2019. He is also the current coach of the National Volleyball League defending Champions Nkumba – A. He has won several trophies for the University team. Tony Lakony has held the Technical Director position before therefore his track record is no doubt the reason he has been selected for the task again.

UVF Technical Director Tony Lakony
Coach Tony Lakony far left with the Senior Ladies National Team at the All Africa Games Qualifiers

“I can give you a heads up of what it will be. We have a few level three coaches, in the country but we also have coaches who have been involved in development for a very long time and who we have worked with, tested and tried,” Coach Tony said when talking to Ground Sports.

Tony Lakony’s main objectives as Technical Director are to have a Coaches’ Commission who are ready to work on development, organising continuous development programmes for both regular and beach volleyball, institute the age group national team from the juniors to the seniors for both women and men, and courses for the coaches at different levels especially grassroots in the regions.

Coach Tony Lakony emphasised the importance of having a uniform coaches’ system throughout the country which is key for the proper development of players starting from the juniors through to the seniors with a uniform identity. The Technical Director also mentioned that his new appointment will not affect his performance as the head coach of the women’s National Volleyball League defending champions Nkumba – A.

Full List of the Board of Administrators together with the newly appointed Heads Of Commissions

1. Mr Sadik Zaid Nasiwu – President (Head of Sponsorship & Marketing Commission)
2. Mr Ahmed Kigundu – 1
st Vice – President (Head of Media Commission)
3. Ms Salma Kairungi Otika – 2
nd Vice – President
4. Mr Joseph Odong – Treasurer (Head of Finance Commission)
5. Mr Godwin Nakaana Ssennyondo – General Secretary
6. Ms Eunice Nuwabigaba – Assistant General Secretary
7. Mr Tonny Peter Lakony – Technical Director (Head of Coaches Commission)
8. Mr Innocent Komakech – North / East Rep (Head of Referees Commission)
9. Mr Deogratius Nsereko Kayongo – Head of Sports Organising Commission
10. Mr Abdallah Nespol Angiro – Head of Schools Commission
11. Dr Betijuma Luwedde – Head of Medical Commission
12. Mr Cornelius Engwenyu – Head of Mass Volleyball Commission
13. Mr Robert Mofaht Masaba – Head of Beach Volleyball Council
14. Ms Cisse Musiime B. – Club Representative
15. Mr Levian Ashaba – Club Representative
16. Mr Kenneth Wakiibi – Club Representative
17. Mr Joshua Osiya – Central Region Representative
18. Mr Elisha – Western Region Representative

All the different Heads of Commissions have been tasked to submit proposed members of their commissions as well as submit work plans and budgets for the year 2021.

Rwanda is yet to register the first win in 2021 Afrobasket Qualifiers

Rwanda
Rwanda National Basketball Team | Photo: FIBA

Despite having a ticket to host 2021 Afrobasket, Rwanda has not yet managed to register a win in the qualifiers campaign.

On Thursday afternoon, February 18, Rwanda played its second game in the 2nd window and fifth in general in the 2021 Afrobasket Qualifiers, but the victory is still a dream for this team that prepares to host the biggest Basketball championship in Africa this coming summer.

After losing to Mali in the fourth match of these qualifiers in general and the first in the second window, Rwanda lost again to Nigeria 64-51. In this match, they led 2 quarters and few minutes of the 3rd Quarter but it ended with the more experienced team changing the game and won the fourth quarter. 14-22, 16-09, 14-10 and 20-10 were the scores of all Quarters that ended in favour of Nigerians.

Rwanda’s Axel Mpoyo scored the highest in the game, 14 points, while Jean Jacques Nshobozwabyosenumukiza made 11 points, 4 assists and 4 steals. In this game, they didn’t use Prince Ibeh due to the injury got during the practice sessions.

Despite losing 2 games as head coach, Henry Mwinuka believes that his side played well against Nigeria compared to Mali. Henry’s younger side managed to polish their mistakes from the Mali encounter. The coach expressed concerns that his side needed to have more experienced players on the court to match the competition from his contenders.

Rwanda will play the final game of these qualifiers today against the Bright stars of South Sudan.

The Silverbacks To Return Home After Safety Precaution Measures Exercised By FIBA

The Silverbacks To Return Home

The Silverbacks’ engagement in the 2021 AfroBasket Qualifiers was cut short after scares of the global COVID-19 pandemic.

Moments before the Uganda basketball team was about to play their first game of the 2nd window of the AfroBasket Qualifiers, FIBA intervened to postpone all the Silvebacks’ games for the safety of all participants in the bubble. This means that the Ugandan delegation has to leave the competition.

“The Silverbacks team delegation shall not continue to take part in the competition during this window. All team delegation members shall leave the bubble as soon as reasonably possible,” FIBA. The decision came after five members of the delegation returned positive results from COVID-19 tests. As stipulated in the FIBA COVID-19 protocol, the delegation members will be excluded from the competition.

The status of the Siverbacks’ 3 games against Egypt, Morocco, and Cape Verde will be decided at a later stage.

FUBA has in a press release expressed deep concern and will focus on getting the other members who tested negative back home plus ensuring that those with positive results are taken care of until it is safe for them to return home.

Henry Mwinuka not off to a good start as a National Team Head Coach

Mwinuka not off to a good start as a National Team Head Coach
Rwanda national team acting head coach, Mr Henry Mwinuka | Courtesy Photo

Henry Mwinuka lost his first  competitive game as head coach of the Rwanda National Basketball Team after a 51-76 defeat to Mali in the AfroBasket 2021 Qualifiers window 2 opening game for his side.

The Tanzania tactician who has coached teams like, University of Dar-es-Salaam, Savio BC, KIU Titans, Patriots BC, and the Tanzania National Team as an assistant is currently the head of REG BBC and also acting head coach of the Rwanda team.

Henry Mwinuka had a chance to exposure in the national team national, however, his run is short-lived as Rwanda has already had advanced talks with Senegalese Cheikh Sarr to take over as head coach after this qualifier. Cheikh Sarr is in Monastir with the team to observe.

Coach Cheikh Sarr together with Henry Mwinuka during the practice in Monastir | Courtesy Photo

In the 51-76 outcome competitive game, Mali was ahead of Rwanda in all quarters of the game. 14 points was the highest quarter score that Rwanda managed to get making 12-17, 11-19, 14-26, 14-14 quarter scores respectively. Rwanda will have their work cut out today against Nigeria.

All the teams in this Group D have a qualification ticket since the top three teams qualify but Rwanda who is so far at the bottom of the table have the automatic qualification by virtue of being the host for the AfroBasket Final Event.

In Other games of Group D, Nigeria beat South Sudan on a 5 points difference. The first quarter ended with Nigeria leading 18-09. In the second quarter, South Sudan led by Luol Deng who is also currently the Federation president won it with 21-20.

Nigeria won the third quarter with 19-18 before The Bright stars of South Sudan tried to catch up by scoring 22-18, but it was not enough to hand them a victory against the former African Champions. South Sudan 70-75 Nigeria.

In this game, Nigeria did not have its current head coach, Mike Brown due to his duties with Golden State Warriors, the Nigeria D’Tigers was led by Mfon Udofia.

The 2021 Afrobasket Qualifiers games continue today,

12:00 EAT, Cape Verde vs Morocco
15:00 EAT, Nigeria vs Rwanda
18:00 EAT, Mali vs South Sudan
21:00 EAT, Uganda vs Egypt

These games will take place at the Salle Mohamed Mzali, Monastir in Tunisia

 

 

 

AFRIYEA Golf Academy Students Amon Bwambale Outstandingly Performs At The Venus Open.

Amon Bwambale
AFRITEA Golf Academy's Amon Bwambale

AFRIYEA Golf Academy golfers beat a field of 114 golf players from all over Uganda to emerge overall winners of the Venus Open at Toro Golf Club with Amon Bwambale displaying an amazing show.

Amon Bwambale, a 17-year-old boy playing off handicap Zero beat top national players like Denis Asaba, Micheal Alunga, Abdul Kakeeto, and James Koto among others to cling his first major tournament trophy.

Amon Bwambale who is a student of AFRIYEA Golf Academy has been able to register a number of big wins since he joined the academy. His first win was in the Kasese Juniors open which was held in November 2020, followed by Basaliza at 95 Golf Tournament held in December 2020 and now he has gotten his first Major win in the Venus Open 2021.

Young Amon now joins Uganda’s top players like Stephen Kasaija, Adolf Muhumuza, Otile Ronald, Ronald Rugumayo, and Joseph Cwinya-ai among others who have also won the same major tournament.

He won the tournament with a record of five-under-par (-5), 6 birdies on hole 1,7, 9, 12,13, 16 and 11 pars and 1 bogey on hole 2.

Amon Bwambale’s top performance is a great indicator of AFRIYEA’s Golf Academy improvement in all her junior programs that is based on giving the kids the best-golfing skills that can enable them to compete and win big events.

AFRIYEA Golf Academy is the country’s only golf academy with the structures and ready to roll out its programs across the country training kids from both the underprivileged and privileged sectors of the economy. The less privileged kids with talents have already been brought on board to begin playing golf.

Mama Reagan Asiimwe a parent of one of the students being helped to learn golf has credited AFRIYEA for the good work they are doing to help their children in promoting their talents and she noted AFRIYEA does not only give the kids skills of playing golf, but also other important life skills on environment conservation like tree planting, plastic recycling and urban farming.

Amon Bwambale
Peace Kabasweka the lady captain Toro club, Macklin Nsenga, Annie Abeja the uganda ladies golf president and Kagombe from Mbarara sports club

The tournament had dignitaries like JB Tumusiime chairman LV Mbarara and a patron of AFRIYEA Golf Academy, David Mugambwa Patron of the Academy, Dr. Edward Nyatia Patron of the Academy, Engineer John Byabagambe, Professor Edward Rugumayo, Peace Kabasweka the lady captain Toro Golf Club, Ainnie Abeja the president of Uganda ladies Union and Representatives of the Uganda golf Union among others.

Kim Poulsen returns to lead the Tanzania National Football Team a second time

Kim Poulsen
The new head coach of Taiffa Stars, Kim Poulsen | Courtesy Photo

61-year-old Kim Poulsen returns to head coach position in Tanzania National Football after the federation appointed him a second time.

The Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) has assigned Kim Poulsen the task of leading the national football team after both parties reached an agreement. This is the second time Poulsen will be the head coach of the Tiaffa Stars.

The new deal will see Kim Poulsen lead the team for the coming 3 years starting with the current involvement of the team in the AFCON and World Cup Finals. Both competitions are scheduled to take place in 2022 in Cameroon and Qatar respectively.

Kim Poulsen comes in to replace Burundian tactician Etienne Ndayiragije who has been in charge of the Tiaffa Stars since August 2019. Etienne guided the team in the CHAN Championship where they were elimated in at the group stages finishing 3 in Group D with 4 points.

Kim Poulsen returns to lead the Tanzania National Football Team a second time
Etienne Ndayiragije who parted ways with Taiffa Stars | Courtesy Photo

Poulsen coached the Taiffa Stars between 2012 and 2013, a position he was given after coaching the national youth teams. He has replaced Etienne Ndayiragije who recently reached an agreement with TFF to break his contract. Ndayiragije was appointed to coach the team in July 2019.

CAF CL: Didier Gomez da Rosa’s Simba got their first three points in Kinshasa

CAF CL: Didier Gomez da Rosa's Simba got their first three points in Kinshasa
SC Simba Head coach, Didier Gomez da Rosa | Courtesy Photo

SC Simba, led by new coach, Didier Gomez da Rosa bagged the three key points at the Stade des martyrs in Kinshasa in the CAF Champions League edition 2020/2021.

Simba belongs in Group A, group of death, which consist of Al Ahly, Al-Merreikh, AS Vita and SC Simba as well. They kicked off their matches in the evening of February 12, 2021 at the stade des Martyrs Stadium in Kinshasa against AS Vita Club of Coach Florent Ibenge.

In this game, the Black dauphins of Kinshasa dominated the game but did not take the advantages of the chances created until in the 60th minute of the match when a Congolese and Simba striker, Chrispin Mutsimba Mugalu converted a penalty kick after AS Vita’s defender blocked the ball with his hand in the box. The match ended with 1-0 score in the favor the visitors.

Chris Mugalu scored through the spot kick | Photo: Simba

An important win for coach Didier Gomez who joined the club last month as Simba have the ambitions to go through the quarter final after an immense business in the last transfer market.

The Dar es Salaam-based team is set to host Al Ahly in the next 10 days, before playing a double encounter against the Sudanese side, Al-Merreikh.