Here’s a snippet into how some of them performed over the past weekend
{{Arthur Gitego departs AFC Leopards}}
Rwanda’s national team striker, Gitego Arthur, has parted ways with Kenya’s AFC Leopards by mutual agreement.
During his one-year stint in Kenya, he emerged as the top scorer in the FKF Cup with five goals and netted three times in the league, providing one assist.
{{Bonheur Mugisha’s Stade Tunisien loses Tunisian super cup}}
Mugisha Bonheur’s club, Stade Tunisien, lost the Tunisian Super Cup after a 2-0 defeat to Espérance Sportive de Tunis. This marked their second consecutive loss against the same opponent.
Mugisha, a key player for Rwanda’s national team, was named in the starting XI and played the full match under coach Larbi Ben Hassine.
{{Hakim Sahabo scores first goal for K. Beerschot V.A}}
Belgium-based midfielder Hakim Sahabo scored his first goal for K. Beerschot V.A in a match against Gent. However, his team suffered a 3-2 loss and remains at the bottom of the league table.
{{Upcoming matches for Innocent Nshuti and Ange Mutsinzi }}
On Monday, February 17, 2025, Nshuti Innocent’s Sabail PFK will face Sabah Baku in Azerbaijan’s Premier League.
Meanwhile, Zire FK, featuring Rwandan defender Mutsinzi Ange, secured a 3-0 victory against Sumqayit. Mutsinzi played the entire match.
{{Samuel Gueulette helps RAAL La Louvière end winless streak}}
In Belgium’s second division, midfielder Samuel Gueulette played the full match as RAAL La Louvière defeated Seraing 4-1, marking a turnaround after a series of poor results.
Elsewhere, defender Imanishimwe Emmanuel, also known as ‘Mangwende,’ remains sidelined due to injury and did not feature for AEL Limassol in Cyprus’ top division.
On a happier note, Libya’s Al Ahly Tripoli, home to Rwandan defender Manzi Thierry and national team captain Bizimana Djihad, secured a 2-1 win over Asaria last week.
{{Ntwari struggles for game time at Kaizer Chiefs}}
Amavubi goalkeeper Ntwari Fiacre is struggling for playing time at South African giants Kaizer Chiefs. He was left out over the weekend as Chiefs claimed a 3-0 victory over Chippa United.
Kwizera Jojea, who plays for Rhode Island in the USL Championship (USA’s second division), is preparing for a friendly match against Hartford Athletic ahead of the new season in March 2025.
In other news, Switzerland-based Johan Marvin Kury made his debut for FC Zürich II in the third division, coming on as a substitute in the 79th minute during a 1-1 draw with Delémont.
Players who continue to perform well in these different leagues stand a strong chance of being called up for Rwanda’s national team, Amavubi, for the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers against Nigeria and Lesotho in March 2025.
He died at Kampala Hospital for an injury sustained during the Nile Special Rugby Premiership fixture between Buffaloes Rugby Club and Kampani Eagles RFC on February 8, 2025, at Kyadondo Rugby Club in Kampala.
“It is with deep sorrow that the Kampani Eagles RFC and the Uganda Rugby Union announce the passing of Kayondo Ronnie, a valued member of the Kampani Eagles RFC,” the statement read.
The statement, signed by Adam Kabalega, Chairman of Kampani Eagles Rugby Club, and Godwin Kayangwe, President of the Uganda Rugby Union, further expressed grief over the loss of the young player:
“The Uganda Rugby Union, Kampani Eagles RFC and the wider rugby community mourn the loss of this promising young player, who had so much more to offer. Our thoughts and prayers are with Ronnie’s family, friends, and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time.”
While comprehensive statistics on rugby-related fatalities in Uganda are scarce, the sport has witnessed tragic incidents in the past. In 2012, a Kenyan women’s rugby player Lillian Shikoyi died after sustaining a spinal injury during a match at Kyadondo.
Globally, rugby union is recognized as a full-contact sport with a relatively high risk of injury, including fatal and catastrophic spinal injuries.
The Ugandan rugby community has expressed an outpouring of condolences for Kayondo, whose passion and dedication to the sport were widely recognized. His passing is a heartbreaking loss, and he will be remembered for his contributions to Kampani Eagles RFC and the sport in Uganda.
“May the soul of the dearly departed rest in eternal peace,” the statement concluded.
The 2025 edition of the race is set to take place from February 23 to March 2, bringing together top cyclists from Africa and around the world.
In a press statement issued on Thursday, February 6, Tour du Rwanda and the Rwanda Cycling Federation (FERWACY) reassured teams, riders, and fans that the security situation in Rwanda remains stable.
While recent clashes in Eastern DRC had briefly affected areas near the Rwandan border, organisers stated that all necessary measures have been taken to prevent any disruption to the race.
“Life in Rubavu and all across Rwanda continues as normal. Therefore, the Tour du Rwanda can proceed without any alteration to the schedule, and riders, teams, and supporters can be assured of a safe and enjoyable event,” the statement read.
The Tour du Rwanda, first held in 1988, has grown into one of Africa’s most renowned cycling events. Initially a regional competition, the race became part of the UCI Africa Tour in 2009 and is currently classified as a 2.1 category race, attracting elite professional teams from across the world.
Known for its challenging mountainous routes, the Tour du Rwanda is regarded as one of the most demanding races on the continent. The event not only tests the endurance and skill of cyclists but also showcases Rwanda’s breathtaking landscapes and vibrant culture.
Joe Blackmore from Israel – Premier Tech won the 2024 Tour du Rwanda. He had a fantastic race, even celebrating his 21st birthday during the event and taking the race lead that day. He sealed his victory with a solo win in the final stage in Kigali. It was his first UCI race win, making it a very special achievement.
Beyond its sporting significance, the Tour du Rwanda plays a crucial role in promoting tourism and economic development in the country. The event is a major source of national pride, uniting Rwandans who enthusiastically line the race routes to cheer for local and international riders.
The news comes after some players received criticism for celebrations many feel crossed the line by mocking opponents. Iliman Ndiaye received a yellow card after he scored Everton’s winner against Brighton and then celebrated by flapping his arms like a seagull.
But when Myles Lewis-Skelly mimicked Erling Haaland in his goal celebration at the Emirates, he received no punishment. Arsenal went on to beat Manchester City 5-1 on Sunday.
Former Arsenal forward Theo Walcott praised Lewis-Skelly for his strength of character, saying: “He was not afraid of Haaland at all.”
However, Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher both said they thought the 18-year-old’s actions were disrespectful. The celebration came after Haaland mocked the Lewis-Skelly at the end of an ill-tempered 2-2 draw at the Etihad in September, taunting him by asking: “Who are you?”
In the past, Jamie Vardy has mimicked an eagle when scoring against Crystal Palace and was criticized by some for his interactions with the Tottenham supporters at the end of last month, when Leicester beat Tottenham 2-1. He received no caution for either action.
Similarly, Neal Maupay was thought to be mocking James Maddison when he copied the midfielder’s darts celebration after scoring for Brentford against Spurs a year ago.
Maddison then criticized Maupay in his post-match interview and the forward hit back on social media.
This season, Phil Foden and Joshua Zirkzee have pretended to fire guns towards the crowd after scoring goals but received no punishment.
In the NFL, players who imitate the shooting of weapons when celebrating face heavy post-match fines.
The Premier League’s chief football officer, Tony Scholes, said: “There’s a balance. I think we all like to see celebrations. Some of the celebrations have been very funny, entertaining, but there’s a line.
“Once it crosses over into mockery or criticism then we would need to deal with it.”
CAF’s decision follows thorough inspections and assessments conducted by their technical and infrastructure experts. According to the findings, while significant progress has been made in the construction and upgrading of stadiums, training fields, hotels, and healthcare facilities, the current infrastructure is not yet fully prepared to meet the high standards required for hosting the prestigious tournament.
CAF President Dr. Patrice Motsepe expressed confidence in the efforts of the host nation’s leaders – President William Ruto of Kenya, President Samia Suluhu Hassan of Tanzania, and President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda.
“The progress made so far is commendable. However, additional time is necessary to ensure the highest quality of infrastructure. We are committed to delivering a world-class tournament that celebrates African football.”
The postponement allows the host countries to continue their preparations without the pressure of impending deadlines. Ongoing construction and renovations will now have the required time to meet CAF’s standards, enhancing overall tournament experience for teams and fans alike.
The competition draw for CHAN 2024 initially scheduled for February 2025 will still take place in Nairobi on January 15, 2025. The exact dates for the rescheduled Championship in August 2025 will be announced by CAF in due course.
This international stadium, with a seating capacity of 45,000, was officially inaugurated six months ago and began hosting matches in August 2024. These new developments mark a significant milestone for sports infrastructure in the region.
Reliable sources intimated to IGIHE that the installation of VAR equipment has been completed, with testing scheduled for February 2025. During the stadium’s renovation, dedicated spaces for advanced football officiating technology were allocated, ensuring compatibility with modern standards.
A senior official from Rwanda’s football governing body confirmed the progress but refrained from providing an exact completion timeline due to potential challenges in testing the system.
“The installation of VAR is ongoing, but I cannot confirm a specific date for its full operation. It’s better to announce once the system is fully functional and can be demonstrated,” the official said.
The official revealed that the Spider Camera will also be installed as planned. However, installation is just one part of the process; ensuring it works perfectly is equally important. “People should understand that such advancements require meticulous preparation,” he said.
With these technological upgrades, Amahoro stadium is poised to enhance the experience for both players and fans, further cementing its reputation as a leading sports facility in the region and beyond.
The 36-year-old Fury previously announced his retirement after beating Dillian Whyte in April 2022 but returned six months later. The Briton has enjoyed two stints as heavyweight champion and holds a record of 34 wins, two defeats and one draw.
“Hi everybody, I’m going to make this short and sweet. I’d like to announce my retirement from boxing, it has been a blast, I’ve loved every single minute of it and I’m going to end with this; Dick Turpin wore a mask,” Fury said.
Fury shocked long-reigning world champion Wladimir Klitschko in 2015 to win the WBA (Super), IBF, WBO, IBO, and The Ring heavyweight titles.
After over two-and-a-half years out of the ring, during which he tackled mental health issues, Fury returned to action in 2018 and became a two-time champion by beating Deontay Wilder to claim the WBC belt in 2020.
With 19 days to start of the games, a delegation led by CAF Competitions and Events Director Samson Adamu was comprised of several departments including technical, safety and security, marketing, communications and events among others.
The assessment work started in Kenya on Tuesday and Wednesday last week before heading to Tanzania for the next two days and eventually concluded with Uganda on Saturday and Sunday, January 12, 2024.
The inspection was done on different facilities such as airports, hotels, hospitals, training grounds and stadia.
Whereas Uganda and Tanzania seem close to having the facilities ready, there has been concern about the progress in Kenya.
For instance, at Nyayo National Stadium, there is still a lot of fabrication works ongoing and the floodlights were also being erected as of last week. At Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, work is clearly behind schedule with the playing surface far from convincing despite efforts to patch up things.
In Tanzania, there has been tremendous work done especially at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium with the press conference room and other amenities fixed. In Uganda, Mandela National Stadium (Namboole) is nearly ready. New Floodlights have been set up for both the main pitch and the training ground.
The pitch at Namboole is undergoing transformation into a hybrid turf with 5% of synthetic fiber added. Additionally, there has been addition of emergency outlets at the stadium.
Floodlights have been set up at the Kadiba Training facility but there is race against time to make sure the playing area and access roads are finished. At Wankulukuku, a new VIP shade and dressing rooms are being set up with the pitch also patched up. The same is also happening at Kampala International School Uganda (KISU).
The floodlights for Kyambogo Training Facility arrived in the country recently and the local organizing committee was contemplating on putting them at Wankulukuku for the meantime but they were guided that this cannot be done in the remaining days.
The inspection team will now make a report to the CAF Executive Committee who will then make final decisions. The draw event for the 2024 CHAN is slated for this Wednesday, January 15, 2024 in Nairobi, Kenya.
Founded in 2020, Fitnesspoint has quickly established itself as a leading fitness brand, offering holistic health and wellness solutions.
The new facility, located at the former Sports View Hotel, opposite Amahoro Stadium, replaces Fitnesspoint’s previous branch in Nyarutarama, offering a substantial upgrade in space, amenities, and services tailored to meet growing customer demand.
According to Ole Haugom, Co-Founder and CEO of Fitnesspoint, the reception to the new location has been overwhelmingly positive.
“I feel like people are really liking our gyms, especially this one. Remera has so many different activities. We have very professional equipment and good maintenance. People always come here and can use the equipment they want, which is very important,” he shared during a recent interview with IGIHE.
Haugom, a Norwegian national who established a successful fitness center with over 30 branches in his home country, explained that his focus on high-quality equipment and prompt maintenance stems from observations he made upon arriving in Kigali six years ago.
“When I first came, I saw so many places—hotels and gyms—where machines were marked ‘out of order.’ That’s actually why I started importing gym equipment here. We now have technicians and a warehouse to fix things quickly,” he added.
Mahe Ornella, Sales and Marketing Manager at FitnessPoint, noted that the relocation was driven by client feedback and aims to enhance the overall customer experience.
Like its first branch in Kimihurura, FitnessPoint’s new Remera location offers more than just a larger space. The gym now includes a six-foot swimming pool suitable for diving, an expanded aerobics class area that can host up to 60 people, and a dedicated athletic zone for high-intensity training.
The athletic section, located in the basement, features high-performance equipment such as bikes, squat racks, deadlift platforms, and rowing machines.
A specialised spinning class area is also part of this section, enabling athletes to push their limits in a professional setup.
The Remera branch further introduces a martial arts area, with plans to offer self-defence classes for women.
Additionally, a women-only space has been introduced for those who prefer a more private workout environment. The new feature caters to a diverse range of women, including Muslim women and content creators who value privacy.
“This private space is ideal for Muslim women and women content creators seeking a more private workout environment,” Ornella explained.
In line with its holistic approach to fitness, the gym also caters to families. A kids’ playground is being developed to allow parents to work out while their children engage in activities. The kids’ area will be equipped with toys and trampolines to keep the children entertained.
Another exciting addition at the new Remera gym is a dedicated basketball facility. This area is set to host basketball training sessions and will serve as a space for professional athletes to enhance their skills.
Fitnesspoint has also partnered with APR basketball teams, providing them with exclusive access to the gym’s top-tier equipment and training facilities.
Ornella emphasised that the collaboration with teams such as APR is part of the company’s efforts to support professional athletes and promote sports development in Rwanda. Additionally, Fitnesspoint works closely with the corporate sector, helping to encourage team building and wellness among staff members through tailored fitness programs.
Another upcoming addition includes a coffee area, set to open by the end of January, offering health-focused snacks and beverages.
“We will offer smoothies, sandwiches… You know, the gym is not only the thing that’s needed to see your fitness goals; it’s also what you eat. This coffee area was created in response to what many of our clients have been asking for,” she remarked.
The Remera branch also boasts a spacious parking area to ensure the safety and convenience of clients’ vehicles.
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In addition to its state-of-the-art equipment, Fitnesspoint ensures that certified trainers are available at both branches to guide clients through their fitness journeys.
At least 12 trainers, including floor and private trainers, work per location, assisting members with proper equipment usage and offering personalized training programs.
Uwizeyimana Shaban, one of the personal fitness trainers at the Remera branch, brings six years of experience to the team. The 28-year-old encourages individuals of all ages to prioritize their health and wellness through consistent training and proper exercise techniques.
“Fitness is not just about physical appearance—it’s about improving overall well-being, boosting confidence, and enhancing quality of life. It’s never too late to start your fitness journey,” Shaban says.
“Whether you’re a beginner or experienced, there’s always something new to learn and achieve in the gym.”
The gym also features a dedicated physiotherapist, Fabrice Tuyizere, who assists individuals dealing with health challenges such as fractures or disabilities.
“I design specific exercises tailored to their conditions, addressing issues like back, shoulder, or knee problems,” Tuyizere explains.
As part of its holistic wellness approach, Fitnesspoint also collaborates with certified nutritionist Matt Battle to offer consultations and meal plans tailored to clients’ fitness goals.
Haugom, reflecting on the priorities for the coming years, emphasized the importance of accessible, user-friendly equipment designed for all age groups.
“You just need to have good equipment that anybody can use—functional equipment designed for the human body. Some of the older equipment can be rough to use, but the new ones are more user-friendly. People enjoy using them, even though it’s still a tough workout, of course,” he explained.
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Fitnesspoint offers flexible membership options to accommodate various needs. An annual membership costs RWF 600,000, while a monthly membership is RWF 80,000. For added convenience, flexible payment plans such as standing orders are available for RWF 55,000 monthly.
The gym also offers corporate packages and has partnerships with financial institutions like the Bank of Kigali (BK), providing discounted rates for annual and short-term memberships paid using BK cards. For those visiting temporarily, Fitnesspoint offers 10-pass cards for a flexible access option.
“We have a partnership with BK. Wherever you come and buy an annual membership, you get a 20% discount. If you buy a one-month or three-month membership, you get a 10% discount when you’re using your BK card. So, it’s a way of trying to cater to all levels of people,” Ornella added.
Fitnesspoint’s new Remera branch sets a high benchmark for modern fitness facilities in Kigali, offering advanced equipment, professional training, and a welcoming community that redefines the fitness experience. Don’t wait to start your fitness journey—visit Fitnesspoint today and subscribe to a membership that fits your goals.
Dr. Wagih Azzam and Noha Soliman arrived in Kigali on Saturday, January 11, 2025, where they were welcomed by the President of the Rwanda Cycling Federation (FERWACY), Ndayishimiye Samson, and the federation’s Second Vice President, Kayirebwa Liliane.
The FERWACY President told IGIHE that the CAC leader’s visit aims to assess Rwanda’s preparations for hosting the UCI Road World Championships, scheduled to take place in Kigali from September 21-28 this year.
“They came to evaluate our progress in preparing for the UCI Road World Championships, hold discussions about collaboration with the federation, encourage African countries to participate in large numbers in the World Championships, and discuss the UCI Satellite program we are planning to launch,” he said.
The CAC President is also scheduled to tour the routes designated for the UCI Road World Championships before wrapping up his visit to Rwanda on Tuesday.
Rwanda is set to make history as the first African country to host the prestigious competition, now in its 98th edition.
