Category: Sports

From May 10 to May 18, 2025, the courts of IPRC Kigali hosted matches that brought together more than 140 players from across Rwanda.

These participants represented various member clubs under the Rwanda Tennis Federation (FRT) and competed in nine different categories.

These included divisions for professional and amateur players, seniors, and people with disabilities, with matches played in both singles and doubles formats for men and women.

The final day of the tournament was marked by a visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial.

Players, coaches, officials from the Rwanda Tennis Federation, as well as representatives from the Ministry of Sports and the Rwanda Olympic Committee, came together to pay tribute to the victims.

They toured the memorial, reflected on the history of the genocide, and laid wreaths at the mass graves that hold the remains of thousands who perished in 1994.

Before the championship matches, FRT President Theoneste Karenzi took a moment to express heartfelt gratitude to NCBA Rwanda. He emphasized the bank’s crucial contribution in making this year’s tournament a success.

“This is a tournament we organize every year, but this edition stood out,” Karenzi remarked. “We had an impressive turnout of 145 players, which reinforced the very purpose of this event — to remember the victims of the Genocide against the Tutsi. NCBA Bank Rwanda’s support was vital, and we are currently in discussions about continuing this partnership for future tennis events.”

Representing NCBA Rwanda, Nicholas Manzi spoke about the bank’s broader vision for community impact through sports. He noted that the bank’s involvement goes beyond financial services — it’s about uplifting communities through meaningful engagement.

“Supporting sports allows us to connect more deeply with the people we serve,” Manzi said. “It’s part of our mission to contribute to development in ways that go beyond banking. Tennis, in particular, is a sport we see growing in Rwanda with strong organization and great potential, and we are proud to be part of that journey.”

The tournament featured several standout performances. In the amateur men’s singles category, Karekezi Colin defeated Rukundo Innocent in straight sets (6–2, 7–6).

In the amateur doubles division, Sean Buckley and Mugisha Livingston outplayed Antony Hachez and Vincent Vincent (7–5, 6–0). Among the seniors over 60, Gashugi Innocent and Mucyurabuhoro Eslon secured a win over Gatera Augustin and Katarebe Alphonse (6–3, 7–5).

In the women’s final, Umumararungu Gisele delivered a stunning comeback, rallying from a set down to beat Carine Nishimwe (4–6, 6–0, 6–0).

The Genocide Memorial Tennis Tournament not only showcased Rwanda’s growing tennis talent but also underscored the power of sport as a tool for remembrance, healing, and national unity.

The meeting took place on the sidelines of the 5th season of the BAL (BAL5) and brought together Clare Akamanzi, CEO of NBA Africa; Amadou Gallo Fall, BAL President; and Leah McNab, Head of International Operations for the NBA.

Also in attendance were Rwanda’s Sports Minister Nelly Mukazayire and Rwanda Development Board (RDB) CEO Jean-Guy Afrika.

According to a statement from the presidency, their discussions centred on Rwanda’s role in hosting the league’s inaugural season and the rapid growth the BAL has experienced over the past four years.

The leaders also explored the deepening partnership between Rwanda and the NBA, particularly in efforts to nurture basketball talent across the continent, as well as the broader economic opportunities that sports can unlock for Africa.

Rwanda has become a key partner in the NBA’s African expansion, with Kigali’s BK Arena serving as a regular host for BAL playoffs and finals under a multi-year agreement with the RDB. NBA Africa’s engagement has also included grassroots court projects, youth clinics, and high-profile branding through the “Visit Rwanda” initiative.

Earlier in the evening, President Kagame and First Lady Jeannette Kagame joined a sold-out crowd at BK Arena for the opening of the 2025 BAL Nile Conference. The energy in the arena peaked as Rwanda’s APR Basketball Club secured a resounding 92–63 victory over Kenya’s Nairobi City Thunder, their first win in the weeklong tournament.

The Ugandan lawyer and sports administrator was named following an announced resignation of President Chris Jenkins to guide Commonwealth Sport until elections in November 2025.

Jenkins, who took the role in November 2023, will be remembered for his longstanding service and contribution to the Commonwealth Sport movement.

“I am particularly proud of the opportunities I have been given to advance Sport for Development and especially Para inclusion through our GAPS program and want to thank all my Commonwealth Games Association colleagues and friends for their support,” said Jenkins.

Commonwealth Sport CEO Katie Sadleir explained that with a mid-term resignation the Constitution allows for an interim President to be appointed by the Executive Board, and a new President will be elected by the membership at the next General Assembly in November 2025.

“The Board appointed Dr. Donald Rukare as interim President until the General Assembly. We look forward to working with Donald in this role as we continue driving the organization’s event operations and wider movement forward,” said Sadleir.

“We look forward to welcoming a new President in November to lead us through our upcoming period of growth and continued transformation,” he added.

“I am ready to step into this role and thank the Board for their confidence in me. We have come through a particularly challenging period in our Games history, and we are now building momentum towards an outstanding Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in 2026,” said Rukare upon his appointment.

Both have escaped UEFA bans over “indecent” postgame celebrations in the Champions League last-16 win at Atletico Madrid.

Mbappe and Rudiger are both subject to a one-year probationary period. Madrid are away to Arsenal in the first leg of the quarter-finals on Tuesday, April 8, 2025

The charges followed Madrid players celebrating a penalty shootout win over Atletico on March 12. Video clips emerged of Mbappe grabbing his crotch on the field.

Rudiger has been handed a 40,000 euros fine and Mbappe 30,000 euros. Dani Ceballos was fined 20,000 euros with no suspended ban.

UEFA have also confirmed no charges were made against Vinicius Junior, who also had been under investigation.

The heated Istanbul derby saw three red cards issued in stoppage time before the final whistle. However, the drama didn’t end there.

After the match, Mourinho approached Buruk from behind and appeared to pinch his nose, prompting the Galatasaray boss to fall to the ground. Mourinho was quickly escorted out of the area, while Buruk grabbed at his face before being tended to.

Galatasaray posted a photo on its official X account afterward with the quote, “You should not attack, you should digest!” along with a shushing emoji.

Wednesday’s incident is the latest for Mourinho, a no stranger to controversy, who was handed a four-match ban and fined by the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) following his comments about Turkish referees after a match at Galatasaray in February.

The Portuguese coach was also accused of making “racist statements” by the rival club, which at the time planned to seek criminal charges against the world-renowned coach.

The 62-year-old is considered one of the best coaches of his generation, winning two Champions Leagues, two Europa Leagues, one Conference League and eight league titles after previously managing Real Madrid, Chelsea, Manchester United, Inter Milan and AS Roma, among others.

The game, filled with thrilling moments, tactical battles, and missed opportunities, left Rwandan supporters with a mix of pride and frustration.

The match kicked off with a solid defensive display from Rwanda, led by the trio of Thierry Manzi, Fitina Omborenga, and Ange Mutsinzi. Despite early pressure from Lesotho’s Lemohang Lintsa, Amavubi’s backline remained composed and absorbed the initial attacking threats with confidence.

In the 6th minute, Rwanda showed their attacking intent through intricate passing between Jojea Kwizera and Innocent Nshuti. Their combination play momentarily unsettled the Lesotho defense, but the final touch lacked precision.

Kwizera, looking lively from the start, attempted his first shot in the 15th minute, only to be denied by a well-positioned goalkeeper. The ensuing counterattack by Lesotho resulted in the first corner kick of the game, but Mutsinzi was alert to clear the danger.

Hakim Sahabo tested the Lesotho goalkeeper again in the 21st minute with a powerful shot, forcing a corner for Rwanda.

By the half-hour mark, Rwanda had dominated possession and created several promising opportunities. Their hunger for a breakthrough was evident, but Lesotho’s defensive resilience proved to be a formidable barrier.

On the 32nd minute, Kwizera delivered a precise free kick, but Lesotho’s goalkeeper parried it away for another corner. Mutsinzi rose to meet the corner with a strong header, but the ball whisked just wide of the post, leaving Rwanda agonizingly close to an opener.

With four minutes remaining in the first half, Kevin Muhire showcased his skill by dribbling past two defenders, only to lose control of the ball at the crucial moment.

Muhire redeemed himself moments later, setting up Kwizera with a perfect through pass. Kwizera’s shot was, however, deflected into another corner by the alert Lesotho goalkeeper.

In the dying moments of the half, Kwizera found himself with another golden opportunity, but his shot went wide, summing up Rwanda’s luckless first half. Three minutes of added time were played before the referee blew for halftime with the score still goalless.

The second half began with renewed urgency from both sides. In the 58th minute, Kevin Muhire thought he had finally broken the deadlock when he slotted the ball into the net.

However, his celebration was cut short as the referee ruled the goal out for a foul by Mutsinzi, who had collided with the Lesotho goalkeeper in the buildup.

Lesotho made two substitutions shortly after, injecting fresh energy into their lineup. But in the 65th minute, Amavubi’s persistence paid off when Kwizera calmly slotted the ball into the back of the net, sending the Rwandan fans into wild celebrations. The goal was a deserved reward for Rwanda’s relentless attacking efforts.

Four minutes later, tempers flared when Lesotho’s Motlomelo Mkhwanazi was shown a yellow card for a reckless foul on Claude Niyomugabo. Amavubi’s coach, furious at what he deemed an overly lenient decision, protested strongly and was also shown a yellow card for his animated reaction.

As the game neared its conclusion, Rwanda’s defense stood firm, with the backline tirelessly repelling Lesotho’s attempts to equalize. York Rafael and Samuel Gueulette were introduced in place of Sahabo and Nshuti in the closing minutes as Rwanda looked to consolidate their lead.

However, heartbreak struck late on when Lesotho’s Neo Mokhachane capitalized on a rare defensive lapse to score an equalizer with just minutes remaining.

The stunned Amavubi side pushed forward in search of a winner, and in the 90th minute, Gilbert Mugisha squandered a glorious chance, missing a free header that could have sealed the victory.

The referee added four more minutes, but neither side could find the decisive goal. Finally, Antoine Max Depadoux Effaessouma blew the final whistle, confirming a frustrating draw for Rwanda.

Despite dominating much of the game, Amavubi will rue their missed chances, while Lesotho will be relieved to have salvaged a point. As Rwanda looks ahead, they will need to sharpen their finishing to turn their impressive play into decisive victories in future matches.

This loss caused Amavubi to drop two places in Group C standings, as Benin and Zimbabwe drew 2-2, while South Africa defeated Lesotho 2-0 to take the top spot. Now, Amavubi must fight to restore their pride in their next match against Lesotho on Tuesday, March 25, 2025.

Player ratings (Starting XI)

Ntwari Fiacre – 7: The former Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper could do little to stop the two goals but made a crucial save from Moses Simon in the first half to keep Rwanda in the game.

Fitina Omborenga – 5: The Rayon Sports right-back struggled both defensively and offensively. His poor performance likely led to the quick decision to call up another defender for his position.

Mutsinzi Ange – 6: The best-performing defender in the backline. After the match, he even received a jersey gift from Victor Osimhen. However, he couldn’t replicate his previous strong performances against Nigeria.

Manzi Thierry – 3: A disappointing display. Both goals came from his mistakes—he failed to mark Osimhen for the first goal and directly gifted Nigeria the second goal.

Niyomugabo Claude – 4: The APR FC captain struggled throughout the match. Many Rwandan fans missed the presence of Imanishimwe Emmanuel “Mangwende”, who could have made a difference but was absent due to injury.

Mugisha Bonheur – 6: Nicknamed “Casemiro”, he tried his best to compete in midfield but couldn’t match the intensity of Nigeria’s midfielders.

Bizimana Djihad – 7: The Amavubi captain proved once again why he is one of Rwanda’s top players. Nigeria had already identified him as Amavubi’s most dangerous player, and he showed glimpses of his quality.

Hakim Sahabo – 5: Despite being preferred over Frank Trosten, he failed to make a significant impact. He was expected to press Nigeria’s defense but did not live up to expectations.

Jojea Kwizera – 5: If coach Amrouche insists on using him, he should be played as a left-back, where he has been performing well for his club. This would help cover Mangwende’s absence while allowing another attacker to play in his usual position.

Samuel Gueulette – 5: Many fans disagreed with his early substitution. He was often in good positions but didn’t receive enough passes.

Nshuti Innocent – 4: Known as “Pastor”, he was ineffective in attack, making it easy for Nigeria’s defense to dominate.

Substitutes

Mugisha Gilbert – 7: Despite not being a starter for APR FC, he made an immediate impact after coming on. Rwanda started attacking more, and he was responsible for all the shots on target against Nigeria.

Muhire Kevin – 6: Played well in his limited minutes but failed to capitalize on a key chance near the penalty box.

Ruboneka Bosco & Habimana Yves: Played too few minutes to be rated.

Coach

Adel Amrouche – 6: Difficult to judge in his first game, but his starting lineup choices were questionable. Many fans are waiting to see how he adjusts against Lesotho.

Kelechi was recently in Rwanda, accompanying Nigeria’s national team as they prepared to face the Amavubi in their fifth match of the FIFA World Cup qualifiers. In an exclusive interview with IGIHE, he opened up about his life, his deep love for Arsenal, and his experiences in Rwanda.

A Nigerian media professional with a PhD in environmental studies from the University of Leeds, Dr. Kelechi describes himself as a content creator, businessperson, and public relations expert. However, his biggest passion remains football, specifically, his unwavering support for Arsenal over the past two decades.

“I started supporting Arsenal more than 20 years ago, around 1996. Since then, I have followed them through everything. I live in London and watch all their games, whether at home or away. To me, Arsenal is the best club in the world,” he said.

His admiration for the club grew when Arsenal signed Dennis Bergkamp and Nwankwo Kanu, two of his favorite players.

“I was watching football like everyone else, but I truly fell in love with Arsenal when they signed Dennis Bergkamp because I loved his style of play. Then they signed Nwankwo Kanu, and that sealed it for me,” he recalled.

Arsène Wenger’s philosophy and tactical approach further strengthened his connection to the club. “Wenger was another major reason. His style, his philosophy, everything about him was inspiring.”

One of Kelechi’s most cherished Arsenal memories is their FA Cup victory in 2014, which ended a nine-year trophy drought. He has become a familiar face on Arsenal Fan TV, where he regularly shares his opinions on the club’s performances.

“Arsenal Fan TV is a great platform where we meet fellow fans and share our views. I always try to focus on the positives rather than the negatives,” he explained.

When asked about rival fans teasing Arsenal supporters for always saying, “Next year will be our year,” Kelechi laughed it off as typical fan banter. “That’s just what fans do. Of course, it stings a little, but I also have my own comebacks for other teams,” he said.

Regarding Arsenal’s Premier League title hopes this season, he admitted that the challenge is tough but remains optimistic. “It looks like the league title has slipped away, especially after losing key players.

But we are still in the Champions League, and anything can happen. Even if this season doesn’t go our way, we will lift a major trophy soon,” he declared.

Reflecting on his journalism career, Kelechi mentioned that one of his most unforgettable moments was covering Nigeria’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) semi-final victory over South Africa. “That match was intense, and we sadly lost two fans at the stadium due to the emotions running high,” he recalled.

Kelechi has visited Rwanda more than ten times and holds a deep appreciation for the country. “I love Rwanda, the weather, the food, and the people. Rwandans are respectful and welcoming,” he said.

He proudly shared his knowledge of Rwanda’s “Land of a Thousand Hills” nickname and even picked up some local Kinyarwanda phrases like “Muraho” (Hello) and “Murakoze” (Thank you).

One unique aspect of Kelechi’s presence is the staff he always carries, adorned with fur. “This is a traditional African staff used to bless people. When I meet someone, I speak words of blessing over them, for long life, wealth, and success,” he explained.

The runaway Asian Group C leaders failed to sparkle on a chilly night in Saitama until Crystal Palace forward Kamada pounced for the opener in the 66th minute.

The Blue Samari defeated Bahrain at Saitama Stadium in Saitama, Japan, to book the team’s spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup as the first country outside of the three host nations, the U.S., Mexico and Canada, to qualify for the event.

The win moved Japan to 6-1-0 in Group C of the third round of AFC qualification. The top two teams in each of the three groups automatically qualify for the World Cup with three games remain in the third qualifying round. Japan has not lost in over a year.

This makes it eight straight World Cup appearances for the team. They have made the Round of 16 four times in their previous seven appearances. The only AFC country with more appearances in the World Cup than Japan is South Korea.

However, next summer will be Japan’s first time playing in a World Cup in North America. Japan didn’t qualify for the 1970 and 1986 World Cups in Mexico or the 1994 World Cup in the U.S.