Category: Sports

The match started on a tense note, with both teams eager to assert dominance but cautious not to make early mistakes. Fouls punctuated the opening exchanges, with players jostling for control in midfield.

Rwanda’s first corner came in the 18th minute, sparking some hope for an early lead, but the chance was wasted. Moses Simon of Nigeria showcased his skill with a brilliant dribble and pass to Victor Boniface in the 23rd minute, but the forward failed to control the ball inside the box.

Amavubi captain Djihad Bizimana picked up the first yellow card of the match in the 25th minute after a foul on a Nigerian wingback. Just minutes later, Bonheur Mugisha followed suit with a booking for a reckless tackle on Alhassan Yusuf. By halftime, the match was locked at 0-0, with neither side able to find a breakthrough despite a few close calls.

The second half began with renewed energy from both teams. Nigeria made two key substitutions, bringing on Chukwueze Samuel and Frank Onyeka. Chukwueze made an immediate impact, scoring a stunning goal in the 58th minute after dribbling past four Rwandan defenders. His precise left-footed finish left goalkeeper Ntwari Fiacre helpless, putting Nigeria ahead 1-0.

Despite the setback, Amavubi showed resilience and determination. Ange Mutsinzi capitalized on a defensive lapse by the Nigerians in the 72nd minute, heading home a well-delivered cross from Kwizera Jojea to level the score.

The goal reignited hope among Rwandan fans and players alike. Just three minutes later, Innocent Nshuti sent Rwandans into a frenzy with a brilliant finish off Emmanuel Manishimwe’s perfectly timed pass, giving Amavubi a 2-1 lead.

The closing minutes were nerve-wracking. Nigeria, desperate to salvage the game, unleashed waves of attacks led by Victor Osimhen, who came off the bench in the 77th minute.

The Super Eagles came close on several occasions, but Rwanda’s defense held firm. Goalkeeper Clement Twizere, who had replaced the injured Ntwari, made a series of crucial saves to deny the Nigerians.

As the final whistle blew, Amavubi players and fans celebrated an unforgettable victory. It was a rare triumph over Nigeria, a football powerhouse, marking a high point in the qualification campaign.

However, news from Tripoli soon dampened the mood. Libya’s failure to beat Benin meant that both Nigeria and Benin qualified for AFCON 2025, leaving Rwanda out despite their remarkable performance.

This campaign will be remembered as one of Amavubi’s best in recent history. Rwanda secured victories against both Nigeria and Benin, showcasing their growth and potential. However, the team paid the price for inconsistency, particularly in their matches against Libya, where they failed to pick up reasonable points.

Rwandan football fans were left with mixed emotions. For Hirwa Muzungu, the campaign was a step forward despite the disappointment. “We showed heart and determination today, and this win against Nigeria is something to be proud of. Yes, we made silly mistakes earlier in the campaign, especially against Libya, but the team has grown. I believe we’ll come back stronger next time,” he said.

Amavubi’s failure to qualify for AFCON 2025 extends a 20-year drought since their last appearance in the tournament in 2004. That year, Rwanda impressed by defeating DR Congo and earning a draw against Guinea, but they narrowly missed out on the quarterfinals.

The heartbreak of that campaign echoes in this one, as the team once again showed promise but fell short of reaching the continent’s grand stage by a whisker.

Despite the disappointment, Rwanda’s performance in the qualifiers offers hope for the future. The team demonstrated its ability to compete against stronger sides, and the win against Nigeria will serve as a source of pride and motivation.

The victory over Nigeria is a reminder of what the team is capable of when they play with determination and unity. With lessons learned and the support of a passionate fan base, Rwandans will look to the future with renewed belief in their potential.

This year’s edition promises to be an exciting competition as participants, including 19 Rwandan riders, tackle some of the most rugged and scenic landscapes in the country. International veterans and the well-known Silverbacks teams, have joined the race, which tests the endurance, skill, and resilience of cyclists across multiple stages.

The race kicked off on October 21, 2024 with the prologue stage around Mount Kigali, where riders navigated an 8.8 kilometer loop through urban and forest terrain. Starting at Fazenda Sengha, the route offers a challenging mix of surfaces with a 260-meter elevation gain.

Over the coming days, competitors will face even more grueling stages. One of the highlights is the Mount Kabuye stage, a 95 kilometer ride from Nyirangarama to ARCC, with a massive elevation gain of 2551 meters.

This stage, known for its tough climbs, is expected to challenge even the most seasoned cyclists. Another key stage is the Twin Lakes route, which spans 54.9 kilometers and takes riders through scenic trails and volcanic terrain, finishing at the Musanze Football Stadium.

Another stage of the race will be conducted in the Volcanoes special time regulation for riders will be mandatory in completing complete all 6 laps covering a distance of 29.8kilometers. Riders will be allocated a time penalty for each lap not completed, added to their slowest lap time.

The Rwanda Epic mountain bike race will culminate in the final Gishwati-Rubavu stage, a 65.5 kilometer stretch that ends at the picturesque Rubavu Beach. With rolling trails and a danger zone that covers nearly 40 kilometers, this final stage will push riders to their limits as they race to the finish line.

At the launch of race, Simon De Schutter, the Head of the organizing team said that Rwanda Epic is more than just a test of athletic endurance.

“Over 60 support staff, including four doctors and the Red Cross, are on hand throughout the event to ensure the safety of the cyclists. The race also involves the local community, with over 300 people engaged in various capacities, working closely with local authorities and organizations to make the event a success,” he said.

In addition to the main race, local riders will have the opportunity to compete in the Abanyonzi Race, an open competition in Musanze where they will vie for prizes, further showcasing Rwanda’s growing cycling talent.

Riders compete in various categories, including duo men, duo women, mixed teams, Silverbacks (for combined team ages of 99 years and above), Best Rwandan Team, and Solo. Stage winners and overall champions will be celebrated for their achievements across Rwanda’s diverse and challenging terrain.

The Rwanda Epic has grown into a premier cycling event that not only highlights the physical endurance of the athletes but also showcases the natural beauty of the country.

Known for its breathtaking landscapes and rugged trails, the race draws attention to Rwanda’s potential as a cycling destination while promoting sports and tourism.
As the competition progresses, cycling enthusiasts can look forward to constant updates and results, capturing the thrilling journey of these riders as they push themselves through each stage.

The football legend who played for major teams in Africa and Europe, spoke to IGIHE on the sidelines of the maiden SportsBiz Africa Forum, a Pan-African platform discussing the Nexus between Sports and Business as a steering tool towards Africa’s Development.

He expressed his heartfelt return to Rwanda after a period of two years. He last visited Kigali in 2022.
“First of all, I want to thank all Rwandans for the warm reception. Since I arrived here, I’ve had no issues; I feel as if I am at home,” he said.

Diouf reiterated his admiration of the strong similarity and relationship between Senegal and Rwanda saying that every time he comes to Rwanda, he notices positive changes due to the country’s robust and dynamic leadership that treats sport as a priority.

“When you look at the infrastructure here, they are similar to what our president, Macky Sall, has given us. These are friendly nations, and both presidents, President Kagame and Macky Sall, are friends. I know this because Macky Sall is a very close friend of mine,” he said.

“They are both leaders who value the youth. To be honest, I haven’t been away from here for long, but every time I come, I find something new has been achieved. This shows that you have a great leader, a leader you should trust, a leader you should follow, a leader who is recognized across Africa because everyone can see where you are coming from and where you are going. It is important to emphasize this,” he added.

Diouf pointed out that the youth have no excuse not to take advantage of the opportunities that the Rwandan government has provided, particularly with the existing sports infrastructure, which benefits not only Rwandans but also Africa as a whole.

“Everywhere I go, my mission is to bring joy to Africa. They always ask me about the 2002 World Cup match against France and Sweden, which shows I had great moments in football, and everything we do in life is meant to bring happiness to people,” said he.

Diouf, 43, gained widespread prominence during the 2002 World Cup when he captained the Senegal national team and played for famous clubs like Liverpool in England, among others.

At the time, he mentioned that he had informed the former Minister of Sports, Munyangaju Aurore Mimosa, that “such things should not be tolerated because it is clearly known how things are done. Where things work well, there is government support. I love sports, which is why I used to attend matches, but I could not stand such an endless mess.”

Since then, significant changes have been made in Rwanda’s football, leading to notable progress appreciated by football fan base

On Tuesday, September 10, 2024, Kagame joined others in following the match, which Amavubi aimed to win as they were facing Nigeria in a group stage match for Africa Cup of Nations qualification, to be held in Morocco.

The Head of State arrived at the beginning of the second half of the game, with widespread excitement hovering over Amahoro Stadium as Amavubi firmly held to a 0-0 draw.
The national team secured two points from the draw with Nigeria’s Super Eagles, who now have four points from two matches.

The last match President Kagame attended was during CHAN 2016, when Amavubi faced the Democratic Republic of Congo in Rwanda.

This was the first national team match played at this stadium, but it wasn’t the first game held there. Another match President Kagame attended at the venue was between APR FC and Police FC, marking the official opening of Amahoro Stadium in 1999.

From the start, it was clear that Rwanda, under the leadership of coach Frank Spittler, was not intimidated by their opponents. The Amavubi dominated the first five minutes of play, showing composure and determination, though no direct shots were fired at Nigeria’s goal.

Early attempts came from Jojea Kwizera in the 7th minute, narrowly missing the crossbar with a long-range shot. Despite Nigeria’s 61% possession, Rwanda maintained a solid defense, with Bizimana Djihad captaining the team and keeping the players organized.

Ntwari Fiacre’s saves were the highlight of the match. His first came in the 25th minute, following an untimed back pass that almost resulted in a Nigerian goal. His composure and quick reflexes denied Osimhen, a moment that had the crowd on their feet.

Throughout the game, he made a total of eight direct saves, each one more crucial than the last, particularly in the final moments of the match. “Fiacre was an absolute wall today! His saves kept us in the game. We still have hope for AFCON,” said Augustine Muhirwa, a jubilant and passionate fan after the final whistle.

The game was filled with tense moments, especially when a 22nd-minute goal for Nigeria was canceled due to a foul on Manzi Thierry. Rwanda’s defensive players, including Omborenga Fitina, who dominated the right flank, and Niyomugabo Claude, who played a strong game despite a yellow card, contributed to keeping the Super Eagles at bay.

As the second half commenced, a wave of excitement rippled through the stadium as President Paul Kagame arrived. His presence ignited the crowd, with cheers and chants filling the air, and it seemed to inspire the players on the field. Fitina and Kevin Muhire responded with a near-goal, immediately putting pressure on the Nigerian defense.

“It felt like a different game when the President showed up,” shared one enthusiastic spectator. “The energy was electrifying, and you could see the team feeding off it.”

Though Rwanda missed a chance to score in the dying minutes of the first half, the second half was filled with intense action. Fiacre again stole the spotlight, denying Simon Moses a goal with a spectacular one-on-one save in the 57th minute.

Fans held their breath as the clock ticked down, with Nigeria pressing hard for a goal, but Rwanda’s defense, led by Manzi Thierry, remained steadfast. Even with five minutes of added time, Nigeria could not break through. The final whistle blew to the relief and joy of Rwandan supporters, who celebrated their team’s resilience.

“Ntwari Fiacre deserves all the praise today,” said another fan. “Without him, the score line would have been very different. We’re still in this fight for AFCON” said another fan who identified himself as Gasogi.

This result marks another milestone for coach Frank Spittler, who continues to impress since taking over the Rwandan squad. Having lost just one of his first five games, including a victory over South Africa, Spittler has gained the trust of many Rwandans.

With this draw against the Super Eagles, who were AFCON finalists last year, Rwanda’s hopes of qualifying for AFCON remain alive. As the dust settles, Rwanda prepares to take the momentum from this match forward. The next fixture is due on October 7, as Rwanda face Benin with Nigeria against Libya in Group D.

After two games, Nigeria sits top on the group with 4 points, Rwanda is second after a one-all draw in their opening game against Libya on September 4, 2024. Libya and Beninin are third and fourth with one and zero points respectively.