Category: Sports

Chelle emphasized the importance of staying focused and executing their game plan. “The camp has been good, and we need to be focused on our game and our project. Rwanda has a great team with a new coach, and they will be eager to win, but so are we. After our final training session, we will be ready for this match,” he said.

As the first non-Nigerian African coach to lead the Super Eagles, he dismissed any added personal motivation and instead highlighted his commitment to the team.

“I just want to be with my players every day, working with them, focusing on this game. The Nigerian people are waiting for a win, and we will do everything to deliver,” he said.

Captain William Troost-Ekong echoed his coach’s sentiments, underlining the significance of the encounter. “We are here for one job. Everybody knows how important this game is for us. We want to win, we need to win. Rwanda is a strong team, and we respect them, but I have big confidence in our squad,” Ekong said.

He added that the new coach has brought fresh ideas, and understanding the tactics will be key for them. “We have one more training session, but ultimately, our mission is clear: to win the game,” he emphasized.

Rwanda’s captain had previously expressed confidence in his team’s ability to contain Nigeria’s attacking force, stating that they had done it before and were well-prepared.

In response, Chelle acknowledged the challenge but exuded confidence in his own players. “We have one of the best attacking lineups in the world, not just in Africa. Every team is difficult to play against, especially away from home, and we respect Rwanda. But if they believe they can handle us, then we’ll see tomorrow on the pitch,” he asserted.

He explained that with the new manager, the players will want to prove themselves, with a renewed level of focus but admitted that this first game will be a test.

Despite recent criticism from fans following a disappointing result in the last match, Troost-Ekong insisted that the team is unfazed by external pressure.

“Playing for Nigeria means dealing with 300 million critics and 300 million supporters. We use that as motivation. This pressure is a privilege. Whenever I wear this badge, it means everything to me. The only pressure we feel is from within, because we want to prove that we deserve to be at the World Cup,” he said.

With both teams eager to secure three points, the stage is set for a high-stakes showdown at Amahoro stadium tomorrow Friday March 21, 2024. The Super Eagles are determined to rise to the occasion, knowing that victory will be a significant step towards World Cup qualification.

The nine group winners are assured of a place at the finals in Canada, Mexico and the USA. The four best second-placed sides will have a chance to earn one final spot via play-offs.

A raft of managerial changes has occurred since the last round in June, with Nigeria, Senegal and Tunisia among the sides with new coaches.

What should fans look out for?

Among the heavyweights of the continental game it is Nigeria who have the greatest need for immediate results. Winless in Group C, and languishing four points behind leaders Rwanda, Eric Chelle assumes an already high-profile role which is amplified by difficult circumstances.

The former Mali coach becomes the first non-Nigerian African to take charge of the Super Eagles. The West Africans travel to Kigali before hosting Zimbabwe, and Chelle accepts they are must-win encounters for the three-time African champions.

“There is pressure in football. I say time is the enemy of the coach. But I’m confident and I believe in my players,” he told the media.

Star striker Victor Osimhen says he and his team-mates are “desperate” to make the finals after missing out on the 2022 edition in Qatar.

Another new boss needing positive returns is Tom Saintfiet, who looks to revive Mali’s campaign in Group I after succeeding Chelle. The four-point gap to group leaders Comoros can be cut straight away as the Eagles travel to face the islanders.

“We are not in an easy position but I have a very talented group. It’s a big luxury to have so many quality players,” Saintfiet said.

Mali have never reached the World Cup finals and, after going unbeaten through preliminaries for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon), Saintfiet is upbeat about their hopes.

“After six matches with four wins, two draws, I’m quite positive. We going to try everything to write history,” the Belgian added.

Elsewhere in Group I, Ghana will look to put their disastrous Afcon 2025 qualifying campaign behind them against Chad and Madagascar. Corentin Martins is now in the dugout for the latter, while Rigobert Song faces his first games as Central African Republic boss.

Teranga Lions tackle surprise package Sudan

Senegal boss Pape Thiaw is another man inheriting a World Cup bid after succeeding Aliou Cisse, to whom he was an assistant, last October. The West Africans ended Afcon 2025 qualifying unbeaten and former striker El Hadji Diouf has been impressed by the smooth transition in the Teranga Lions hotseat.

“Pape was there when Aliou was here so we [have] good continuity. Senegal is a family and we have a wonderful group. We have to work together and be happy all together,” Diouf said.

The former continental champions are two points behind surprise Group B leaders Sudan and Thiaw will be without injured Premier League forwards Nicolas Jackson and Iliman Ndiaye for their away game against the Sudanese, which will be played in the neutral Libyan city of Benghazi, and the subsequent home tie against Togo.

Can Sudan boss Kwasi Appiah, who has relied on the power of psychology, continue his team’s remarkable run amid ongoing conflict in the country?

Pharaohs in command

Pharaohs captain Mohamed Salah was rested during the latter stages of the Afcon 2025 qualifying campaign, but the forward will hope to carry his rich vein of form with Liverpool into games against Ethiopia and Sierra Leone.

Salah will come up against new Leone Stars head coach Mohammed Kallon, and the former Inter Milan and Monaco striker has selected Manchester City’s new teenage defender Juma Bah and 40-year-old Kei Kamara in his first squad.

Meanwhile, Sami Trabelsi is back for a second stint in charge of Tunisia with the Carthage Eagles top of Group H by two points.

Reigning continental champions Ivory Coast have a one-point advantage in Group F, while new Kenya coach Benni McCarthy is targeting a first-ever World Cup qualification as he looks to reduce the five-point gap to the Elephants.

In Group D, Cameroon are just one point ahead of Cape Verde and Libya, who last week appointed Aliou Cisse as their new boss. The Indomitable Lions are looking to add to their eight World Cup appearances.

As things stand, the closest group to call is Group G, where the top five sides are separated by just three points.

Vladimir Petkovic comfortably guided Algeria to qualification for Afcon 2025 but Les Verts face Mozambique and Botswana, two more teams who will be in Morocco in December. Guinea and Afcon 2027 co-hosts Uganda are also poised to capitalise on any slip ups.

Congo suspension throws up questions

Africa’s top-ranked side Morocco have the only 100% record remaining, but the picture in Group E is complicated. Eritrea withdrew before qualifiers kicked off and last month Congo-Brazzaville were suspended from international football by world governing body FIFA.

The Red Devils’ ties in March against Tanzania and Zambia have been cancelled, and there is little room to rearrange games in a packed international calendar, even if they somehow succeed in overturning their ban.

All eyes are now on FIFA and the Confederation of African Football for a decision on how teams finishing second in their group will be ranked heading into potential play-offs.

If Congo-Brazzaville drop out as well, then things become even more complicated and every game takes on extra meaning.

The 2025 edition of the Safari Rally will be the first on the African Rally Championship (ARC) calendar and is scheduled to take place from March 20-23.

Thanks to the strong diplomatic ties between Rwanda and Kenya, a special vehicle was made available to transport the 62 Rwandans to Kenya for the occasion. The group departed from Kigali on Monday, March 17.

Kenya’s High Commissioner to Rwanda, Janet Mwawasi Oben, stated that this initiative aims to foster connections among East Africans, expressing confidence that the rally will serve as a unifying platform.

“Last year, there was no bus for fans travelling from Rwanda, but this year, one has been made available to encourage participation, as there is much more to experience compared to the previous edition. We believe the Safari Rally will be a great opportunity for East Africans to connect,” she said.

She added, “For Kenya, there are economic benefits, as fans attending the rally will book hotels and other services. Many have also expressed interest in visiting destinations such as Mombasa, our national parks, and various reserves before or after the rally.”

Ambassador Mwawasi Oben emphasized that participation in the event benefits not only Kenya but the entire East African region.

“For the East African Community, this is significant because it brings the region together, allowing residents to interact and potentially engage in business. The journey from Rwanda to Kenya includes a stop in Uganda, where travellers can shop and experience the country. It’s a major opportunity for East Africa,” she noted.

In addition to the bus transport arrangement, Kenya Airways has introduced a 12% discount on flight tickets for those travelling to Kenya to attend the rally between March 19 and 23.

Among the competing cars this year is the Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X, driven by Prince Charles Nyerere, grandson of Tanzania’s founding president, Julius Kambarage Nyerere, alongside his Rwandan co-driver, Rutabingwa Fernand.

Also featured is the Hyundai i20 of Belgian racer Thierry Neuville, the 2024 World Rally Champion, who will compete alongside his co-driver, Martijn Wydaeghe.

This marks the fifth consecutive year, since 2021, that the Safari Rally has been included in the World Rally Championship calendar.

The event, held in Rilima Sector, Bugesera District, was organized by Shooting Touch, an international sport-for-development organization based in Boston, Massachusetts in partnership with the district leadership.

It highlighted the intersection of gender equity and public health. Through basketball competitions and open discussions, community leaders emphasized the need to challenge traditional gender norms and improve health awareness.

Notably, the event provided free health screenings for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and HIV, allowing more than 157 community members to access vital health information and medical support.

Local officials underscored the importance of such initiatives in fostering inclusive development. Appolinarie Bamurange, the Gender Monitoring Officer, stressed that achieving gender equality requires collective action and systemic change.

“Everyone’s rights matter and must be fully respected. Our country’s vision is shared and equal welfare, security, and protection of every citizen, with no gender-based discrimination,” she said.

“We must put all our efforts together and find solutions to the challenges we encounter. This will lead us to common and shared development, where no one is left behind because of being male or female,” she added.

The basketball competitions played a central role in showcasing the capabilities of women and youth. Four competitive matches featured women’s teams, U13 youth teams, and U18 girls’ and boys’ teams from Rilima and Mayange Sectors.

These games not only provided a platform for young athletes to demonstrate their skills but also challenged the societal perception that sports are predominantly male domains.

Ephraim Sebarundi, the Executive Secretary of Rilima Sector, highlighted the value of integrating gender equality principles through sports.

“The Mayange and Rilima women’s teams have shown us outstanding basketball matches. I am sure they could even win against the men! Together, let’s appreciate this gender equality in sports and integrate gender equality principles into the lives of young boys and men,” he said.

Beyond the court, the event advanced community health efforts. Free NCD and HIV screenings targeted individuals aged 35-80, increasing access to early detection and medical advice.

Health professionals on site provided counseling and referred individuals with serious health concerns to district hospitals for further care.

According to Benjamin Tuyishimire, the Health Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, the goal was to empower individuals to take control of their health.

“It’s important for individuals to know their health status and to encourage them to visit health facilities and take initiative in improving their well-being,” he explained.

The success of this initiative underscores the transformative potential of sports in addressing social challenges.

By combining athletic engagement with public health outreach and gender advocacy, the community is fostering a future where everyone has the opportunity to thrive, regardless of gender or social status.

Government officials argue that CAF should have consulted them before taking such drastic measures, especially since the stadium had already been undergoing renovations.

Speaking today, 12 March 2025, Gerson Msigwa, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Information, Culture, Arts, and Sports, confirmed that the government received the news of the stadium’s suspension earlier in the day.

“It is true that we woke up today to the news that CAF has closed the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium due to issues with the pitch. Their inspection was conducted about two weeks ago, following the match between Simba and Azam. However, it is important to remember that we had already declared the stadium closed for renovations,” he said.

Msigwa, who also serves as the Chief Government Spokesperson, elaborated on the circumstances leading up to CAF’s decision. “These matches attract large crowds and involve numerous security measures.

The Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) had requested to use the stadium, and on the match day, the pitch had been trimmed down completely. Given the intensity of the game, players experienced some minor instability while running,” he explained.

He further revealed that CAF officials were present during the match and advised the Tanzanian authorities to make necessary improvements. Additionally, they requested to inspect the equipment used for pitch maintenance.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has cited the continued decline in the quality of the stadium’s playing surface as the primary reason for the temporary suspension. In a statement released on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, TFF confirmed that this decision will impact upcoming fixtures.

Notably, the CAF Confederation Cup (CAFCC) quarter-final match between Simba SC and Egypt’s Al Masry, originally scheduled for April 9 at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium, will now need to be relocated to an alternative venue.

“CAF will conduct an inspection of Benjamin Mkapa Stadium on 20 March 2025 to assess the improvements made before deciding whether to lift the suspension or extend it,” the TFF statement added.

CAF has directed the Tanzanian authorities to undertake urgent improvements to meet the required standards and prevent the stadium from facing a prolonged ban.

The outcome of the scheduled inspection on 20 March will determine whether the iconic stadium can resume hosting major continental matches or remain under suspension.

The Tanzanian government remains hopeful that the ongoing renovations and collaboration with CAF will lead to a positive resolution.

For now, the spotlight remains on the efforts to restore the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium to the standards expected by the continental football governing body.

The 13-time Premier League Champion’s current ground, Old Trafford, was once considered among the best stadiums in world soccer, but it is now in dire need of improvement after years of stagnation.

Ratcliffe has previously spoken about creating a “national stadium in the North” which would serve both the Red Devils as well as host other major games, such as the Champions League final and national team fixtures.

“Our current stadium has served us brilliantly for the past 115 years, but it has fallen behind the best arenas in world sport,” Ratcliffe said in a club statement about the new stadium.

“By building next to the existing site, we will be able to preserve the essence of Old Trafford, while creating a truly state-of-the-art stadium that transforms the fan experience only footsteps from our historic home.”

World-renowned architect Norman Foster, who is leading the new design, described it as one of the most exciting projects in the world today. “It all starts with the fans’ experience, bringing them closer than ever to the pitch and acoustically cultivating a huge roar,” he said.

It comes as part of the UK government’s wider regeneration project of the city, which promises social and economic renewal of the surrounding area. The announcement will come as good news to fans, who have had very little to cheer about in recent months.

United is currently languishing 14th in the Premier League and is on track to finish in its lowest league position in decades. Off the pitch, the new hierarchy is attempting to turn around a dire financial situation, with the club heavily in debt.

In a recent interview with former United star Gary Neville, who is part of the task-force for the new stadium project, Ratcliffe said the club would “run out of money” by November if things didn’t change.

As a result, the club has announced several cost-cutting measures which have proved very unpopular with fans, including hundreds of job losses.

In addition to the job cuts, the club has also taken the decision to end free lunches for staff, reduce executive bonuses and stop donations to certain charitable causes, according to Reuters.

“We can’t put our head in the sand, we have to deal with the problem and it’s a big problem, not a small problem,” Ratlciffe said on The Overlap, in his interview with Neville.

In another wide-ranging interview with BBC Sport, which was also published the day before the new stadium announcement, Ratcliffe backed new manager Ruben Amorim to turn around the team’s form.

He also admitted the previous regime had made a number of mistakes that have led to poor recruitment decisions which are still costing the club today. Without naming exactly which players he was referring to, Ratcliffe also said some players “are not good enough and some probably are overpaid.”

The installation of the Spider Camera system comes ahead of the highly anticipated APR FC vs Rayon Sports clash on Sunday, March 9, 2025.

A common feature in European football stadiums, the Spidercam is a cable-suspended camera system that moves fluidly above the pitch, capturing dynamic angles and delivering an immersive broadcast experience.

This cutting-edge technology will be used for the first time in Rwanda during the much-awaited derby between APR FC and Rayon Sports, a fixture known for its intense rivalry and passionate fanbase.

Amahoro Stadium, which meets international standards and accommodates a large audience, will host the crucial fixture as part of Matchday 20 of the Rwandan Premier League.

For fans unable to attend in person, the game will be broadcast live on Magic Sports, with all necessary preparations completed to ensure seamless coverage.

The newly installed Spidercam at Amahoro Stadium was manufactured by Ross Video Ltd. It boasts impressive capabilities, moving at speeds of up to nine metres per second and covering an area of 250 by 250 metres. The system and all its accessories weigh 340 kilograms and have dimensions of 87 cm in height, 88 cm in width, and 87 cm in length.

Designed to withstand challenging environmental conditions, the camera’s aluminum casing provides protection against dust and extreme heat. It operates optimally in temperatures ranging from -10 to 40 degrees Celsius. Additionally, its battery system enables continuous operation for up to four hours.

The Spidercam is compatible with high-end cameras tailored for live sports and event coverage, including Sony (P1, P43, and P50), Grass Valley (LDX 80 and LDX 86), Panasonic AK-UB300, and Hitachi DH-H200. It can also support cameras used for standard video recording, such as RED Epic (Dragon, Helium, and Monstro), ARRI Alexa Mini, Sony (F55 and Venice), and Panasonic Varicam.

Enhanced visual and audio experience

To ensure top-tier visuals, the system will integrate premium lenses, including Fujinon HA13x4.5, Canon HJ14ex4.3, and Angénieux Optimo Rouge 14-40mm. Additional accessories such as microphones, teleprompters, and audio transmission systems further enhance the Spidercam’s capabilities.

Initially scheduled for deployment alongside Amahoro Stadium’s reopening, the Spidercam installation was slightly delayed due to adjustments required to align with the stadium’s precise dimensions.

With its installation now complete, football fans can expect an unparalleled visual experience that brings them closer to the action than ever before, setting a new standard for sports coverage in Rwanda.

Braun is a highly experienced sports professional, particularly in football, with over 20 years of academic and practical experience in the field. Her journey in sports education began in 2005 at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) in Germany, where she studied until 2010.

During her studies, she also attended San Diego State University in California, USA, where she undertook an internship working with children struggling with obesity. After completing her studies, Dr. Braun returned to KIT to earn a PhD in sports development and youth talent promotion.

Upon graduation, she moved to Gambia to work with the Gambia Football Association (GFA), where she focused on encouraging girls to play football and increasing female participation in the sport.

Her impressive work in Gambia caught the attention of the German Football Association (DFB), which hired her to coach boys’ teams under the ages of 11 and 14. Between 2017 and 2019, she was promoted to a senior role overseeing the training of sports personnel, including DFB staff.

As part of the German Development Cooperation, she was sent to Namibia to launch the “Football4Life” project aimed at nurturing young football talent. She also worked in North Macedonia, where she combined coaching with training local coaches on how to identify and develop young players.

Braun’s expertise later took her to Botswana, where she served as the assistant coach to Algerian-born Adel Amrouche for the national team. From 2019 to 2021, they led Botswana through seven matches, one friendly and six Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers, achieving two wins, one draw, and four losses.

Beyond her assistant coaching duties, Braun was also an advisor for Botswana’s women’s national teams and served as the Technical Director while managing a joint football project between Germany and Botswana.

In 2021, FIFA appointed Dr. Braun as a technical expert responsible for training technical directors worldwide, a role she still holds today.

With a UEFA A coaching license, she left the Botswana national team in 2023 and joined Adel Amrouche to coach the Tanzanian national team. Under their leadership, Tanzania qualified for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations before parting ways with the team.

Now joining Rwanda’s coaching staff alongside local coach Eric Nshimiyimana, Dr. Braun is expected to play a key role in identifying and developing young talent to strengthen the Amavubi squad for international competition.

The new coaching team will soon begin selecting players to represent Rwanda in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. Amavubi will face Nigeria on March 18 and Lesotho on March 25, 2025, at Amahoro Stadium.