The 21-year-old covered the 134.6 km from Nyamata in three hours, 10 minutes and 10.30 seconds (3:10:10.30), edging Eritrea’s Henok Mulubrhan by just two milliseconds in a thrilling finish.
The win marks back-to-back stage victories for NSN Development Team, following Itamar Einhorn’s triumph in Stage 1 from Rukomo to Rwamagana on Sunday.
The 21-year-old covered the 134.6 km from Nyamata in three hours, 10 minutes and 10.30 seconds.
Marti Pau also took the yellow jersey, gaining a 10-second advantage in a sprint at Imberabyombi, which propelled him ahead of his teammate Einhorn, who did not finish among the top 40 riders on Monday.
The stage saw the peloton tightly packed until the final kilometres, with Eritrean riders initially leading the charge into Huye. Riders positioned themselves for the decisive sprint in the last 2 km, with NSN and Soudal Quick-Step shaping the race for the finale.
Marti Pau’s win marks back-to-back stage victories for NSN Development Team, following Itamar Einhorn’s triumph in Stage 1 from Rukomo to Rwamagana on Sunday.
Top finishers in Stage 2 included Mauro Cuylits (Lotto-Groupe Wanty) in third, Hodei Muñoz Gabiña (Soudal Quick-Step Devo Team) in fourth, and Lucas Van Gils (Lotto-Groupe Wanty) in fifth.
The 2026 Tour du Rwanda will resume on Tuesday, February 24, with Stage 3 starting in Huye at 11:00 AM and finishing in Rusizi. The stage covers a distance of 145.3 kilometres.
Spanish rider Pau Soriano Martí powers past Eritrea’s Henok Mulubrhan to claim Stage 2 victory in Huye on Monday.The stage saw the peloton tightly packed until the final kilometresResidents turn up in large numbers along the road to witness the race.
The decision was announced on Monday, February 23, 2026, alongside updates for two other fixtures. The Rayon Sports–Al Hilal SC match had previously been postponed because Al Hilal SC was competing in the final stages of Group C in the CAF Champions League.
The game was initially rescheduled for Wednesday, February 25, 2026, at Stade Amahoro at 6:00 PM. However, it was later shifted to Kigali Pelé Stadium and brought forward to 3:00 PM due to recurring lighting issues, which the league cited as stemming from ongoing electricity supply problems.
In addition, the Kiyovu Sports vs. Marine FC match, originally set for Tuesday, February 24, 2026, has been postponed because Kigali Pelé Stadium will be closed. A new date for the match will be communicated in due course.
Another fixture affected is Al Merrikh SC vs. AS Muhanga, scheduled for Wednesday, February 25, 2026, at 3:00 PM, with the rescheduled date yet to be announced.
Currently, the league table is led by Al Hilal SC with 41 points, narrowly ahead of Al Merrikh SC, which trails by just one point.
Rayon Sports and Al Hilal SC will play at Kigali Pelé Stadium.
Sunday’s stage, the longest of the race at 174 km, took riders from Rukomo Sector in Gicumbi District to Rwamagana in Eastern Province. The challenging route tested the peloton with rolling hills, strategic sprints, and persistent rain before culminating in a thrilling finish.
Einhorn out-sprinted his rivals in the final meters to take the win in 4:00:05.02, earning a 10-second time bonus for claiming the third intermediate sprint of the day. Spaniard Hodei Muñoz of the Belgian Soudal Quick-Step Development Team finished second, while Eritrean Mewael Girmay of the Turkish-registered Istanbul Team came in third. This marks Einhorn’s third stage win at the Tour du Rwanda, having previously triumphed in Kayonza and Nyaruguru during the 2024 edition.
Einhorn claimed the first yellow jersey of the 2026 race, setting the tone for the week ahead.
With the victory, Einhorn also claimed the first yellow jersey of the 2026 race, setting the tone for the week ahead. The Israeli rider now leads a field of 18 teams, including four Rwandan squads, in the eight-stage race covering nearly 1,000 km and more than 16,000 meters of total elevation gain.
The final kilometres of Stage 1 were intense. With 30 km remaining, the breakaway held a 2-minute 25-second advantage, but the peloton, led by NSN, Eritrea, and Movistar teams, steadily closed the gap. By the 5 km mark, Einhorn and the leading riders had reduced the margin to just 30 seconds, setting up a nail-biting sprint to the line.
Einhorn out-sprinted his rivals in the final meters to take the win in 4:00:05.02.
The 2026 Tour du Rwanda, now in its 18th edition since gaining international status, continues through March 1, taking riders across the country’s diverse terrain. Upcoming stages include the high-elevation challenge from Huye to Rusizi on February 24, a scenic lakeside route along Lake Kivu on February 25, and the final circuits in Kigali on March 1.
Einhorn’s early dominance in Rwamagana demonstrates his readiness to compete for overall victory in a race known for its gruelling climbs and unpredictable finishes. Fans can expect more thrilling action as the “Land of a Thousand Hills” once again tests the world’s best riders.
This marks Einhorn’s third stage win at the Tour du Rwanda, having previously triumphed in Kayonza and Nyaruguru during the 2024 edition.The first stage of Tour du Rwanda 2026 covered 174 km from Rukomo to Rwamagana.
This year’s edition marks the 18th Tour du Rwanda since it gained international status in 2009.
State Minister in the Ministry of Sports, Rwego Ngarambe, was also among the officials present.
During the event, several streets across Kigali were closed to cars and motorcycles from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., allowing thousands of residents to engage in walking, cycling, and other recreational activities such as street tennis and three-on-three basketball.
President Kagame took the opportunity to engage with participants, including children, who joined the event in support of wellness, community, and an active lifestyle.
Launched in May 2016, Car Free Day aims to promote healthy lifestyles among Kigali residents while also raising awareness about disease prevention. Participants are sometimes offered free health screenings and advice during the event.
Although the initiative, held twice a month, started in Kigali, it has since grown into a broader tradition, with other provinces adopting similar activities.
The City of Kigali highlights that Car Free Day also contributes to environmental conservation, as temporarily reducing vehicle traffic lowers harmful emissions and improves air quality.
Various state officials accompanied President Kagame and First Lady Jeannette Kagame.President Kagame took the opportunity to engage with participants, including children, who joined the event in support of wellness, community, and an active lifestyle.The event is organised twice a month in support of wellness, community, and an active lifestyle.Participants were guided on practical ways to incorporate physical exercise into their daily routines with ease. Comedians Fally Mercy and Umushumba were among the participants in the public sports event.
Mohamed Musa Al Kando, a board member of Al-Merrikh, thanked the Rwandan government and people for their support in a statement released on Friday.
“Thanks to the government and nation of Rwanda for welcoming our two big teams and, before that, welcoming the Sudanese people during this hard time of war.”
Al-Merrikh and fellow Sudanese club Al-Hilal SC were cleared to participate in the 2025/26 Rwanda Premier League in November last year, following the suspension of the Sudan Premier League in April 2023, which prompted the clubs to seek temporary relocation.
The clubs have received support from the Rwanda Football Federation and the league organizers, helping them integrate smoothly into the competition.
“I was very happy when I arrived in Kigali just two days before the big derby and we won,” Al Kando said, reflecting on their recent success.
Al-Merrikh plans to build stronger ties with local clubs through collaboration and experience sharing, and the board is also considering establishing a Merrikh Academy in Rwanda in the near future.
Currently, Al-Merrikh sits third in the Rwanda Premier League with 37 points, just one point behind Al-Hilal and APR FC, following a 2-1 victory over rivals Al-Hilal SC at Stade Amahoro on Tuesday, February 17, 2026.
Al-Merrikh SC has been playing in the Rwanda Premier League since November 2025. In their most recent match, Al-Merrikh SC beat Al-Hilal SC 2-1 in the derby.Sudanese nationals in Rwanda often turn out to support their teams.
Mukazayire told Members of Parliament on Thursday that the government was not satisfied with the team’s current performance but had put in place a long-term strategy aimed at building a competitive and professional football system.
“We are not satisfied with the way Amavubi are performing,” she said. “Changes will continue at the Federation, the Ministry and elsewhere for as long as we have not achieved the results we expect.”
Her remarks came after MP Rutebuka Balinda, Deputy Chairperson of the Committee on Education, Technology, Culture, Youth and Sports, questioned the frequent turnover of coaches and leadership within the Rwanda Football Federation (FERWAFA), warning that instability could undermine progress.
Mukazayire said the changes were intended to establish a clear direction for Rwandan football, focused on professionalism, talent development and achieving victories.
She acknowledged that the national team’s results reflect the broader state of football development in the country, arguing that meaningful improvement requires structural reforms rather than short-term fixes.
A key pillar of the strategy, she said, is identifying and recruiting talented players of Rwandan origin living abroad while ensuring their integration serves national interests.
“We must identify them, bring them in and use them effectively. We have already discussed this with FERWAFA and implementation is underway,” she said.
The minister also stressed that coaching contracts must clearly define performance targets, warning that leadership changes would persist if expectations are not met.
“If contracts do not clearly state the expected outcomes, you will continue to see changes because we need results,” she said.
Youth development forms the core of the reform agenda. Mukazayire said players under the ages of 15 and 17 will be closely monitored and systematically developed so they can transition into competitive professional football by the age of 21.
“You cannot neglect youth development and expect to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations,” she said. “We must build from the grassroots.”
Rwanda plans to establish a National Football Academy where young players can train and study together as part of a long-term effort to build a stronger national team.
Currently, the Isonga talent development programme operates in 17 schools with 599 children and is expected to expand to more than 2,000 participants. Other initiatives include the Bayern Munich academy in Rwanda, the Paris Saint-Germain academy and the Tony Football academy, which collectively support youth talent development.
Mukazayire cautioned that the reforms would take time to produce tangible results, estimating that visible improvements may require at least five years.
Meanwhile, FERWAFA recently parted ways with head coach Adel Amrouche on January 14, 2026, after one year in charge. The federation said it has received 688 applications from qualified candidates and will shortlist coaches based on credentials, experience with national teams and participation in major tournaments such as the Africa Cup of Nations and the FIFA World Cup.
With less than a month before Rwanda hosts the FIFA Series friendly matches in Kigali from March 23–31, the national team remains without a head coach. Rwanda is scheduled to face Estonia, Grenada and Kenya in Group A.
Mukazayire also emphasized the importance of mentality, noting that defeats are not always due to a lack of technical ability but can stem from psychological factors affecting players and coaching staff.
Sports Minister Nelly Mukazayire stressed that there is a plan to turn Amavubi into a results-driven team.Sports Minister Mukazayire expressed dissatisfaction with Amavubi’s current performance.
The race, which will be staged for the 18th time since attaining international status, is scheduled to run from Sunday, February 22 to March 1, 2026. It will traverse various regions of the country and feature 18 teams.
Four Rwandan teams will take part: Team Rwanda (the national team), May Stars, Benediction Banafrica Team and Team Amani. The remaining 14 teams will come from abroad.
Rembe–Rad-Net Pro Cycling Team touched down in Kigali on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, becoming the first international squad to arrive. On Thursday, February 19, four additional teams are expected: Picnic PostNL of the Netherlands, Lotto Intermarché of Belgium, Soudal Quick-Step of Belgium and Movistar of Spain.
The official team presentation will take place on Saturday, February 21, at 6:00 p.m. at the Kigali Convention Centre. All 18 teams and the 90 riders set to compete will be unveiled during a ceremony open to the public.
UAE Team Emirates Gen-Z, which had initially been listed among the participants, will no longer compete but has since been replaced.
Teams confirmed for Tour du Rwanda 2026
National teams: Rwanda, Eritrea, South Africa and Ethiopia.
Continental teams: Amani, Benediction Banafrica, May Stars, Madar, Rembe–Rad-Net, Localiza Meoo, Bike Aid, Istanbul and Tshenolo Pro.
World Tour development teams: Movistar, NSN, Soudal Quick-Step, Picnic PostNL and Lotto Intermarché.
German club Rembe Rat arrived in Kigali on Tuesday ahead of the race which starts on Sunday, February 22.
“It is the first time we are announcing this, but we submitted a bid late last year and now we have experts in the country to carry out evaluation of the facilities to determine if we meet all that is required,” Patrick Ogwel, General Secretary of the National Council of Sports (NCS), told Xinhua.
“The comments from the evaluators are very promising,” he added.
Ogwel also pointed out that Uganda is already preparing to co-host the CAF Africa Cup of Nations 2027 alongside Kenya and Tanzania, and that hosting the African Games would further demonstrate the country’s capacity to stage major international competitions.
“The government of Uganda is ready to host as many international competitions as possible because this will also help boost tourism in the country,” added Ogwel.
Previously known as the All Africa Games and later the Pan African Games, the African Games are held every four years and are organized by the African Union in collaboration with the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA) and the Association of African Sports Confederations (AASC).
The 25-year-old is the engine of the national team, a floor general who has traded the skyscrapers of Queens for the thousand hills of Rwanda, becoming the face of a new era for the sport in East Africa.
In a candid and heartfelt sit-down with IGIHE, Philoxy opened up about the remarkable transition from her American upbringing to her role as the captain of Rwanda’s national women’s basketball team.
Since joining the squad in 2023, she has undergone a profound transformation, balancing her identity as a professional athlete with a newfound “cultural awakening” that has redefined her sense of purpose.
{{The call that changed everything
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Philoxy’s story begins in the United States, where she established herself as a legend at the University of Massachusetts (UMass). She left the program as its all-time leader in assists and games played, a “pure” point guard with a high basketball IQ. Despite her mother hailing from Rwanda, Philoxy admitted, “I was just an American in my eyes.”
That changed just two weeks after her college graduation in 2023. An unexpected call invited her to represent her mother’s homeland. The prospect was as terrifying as it was thrilling. “I was scared,” she admits, recalling her first solo trip to Africa. “Everything was like a whole new part of the world.”
However, that initial fear quickly evaporated. In her debut at the 2023 Women’s AfroBasket, she didn’t just fit in; she dominated, leading the tournament in several categories and guiding Rwanda to a historic fourth-place finish.
Her leadership isn’t just a title; it’s backed by a resume of domestic dominance. Before taking the reins of the national team, Philoxy proved she could win on Rwandan soil. She was instrumental in leading REG (Rwanda Energy Group) to a national championship and famously set a record by scoring 41 points in a single game during the Africa Women’s Basketball League.
Now representing APR Women Basketball Club, Philoxy continues to bridge the gap between international experience and local talent.
“I feel like I was always a captain without the title,” she explains, noting that her teammates voted her into the role because of the genuine connections she builds off the court.
Philoxy is optimistic but realistic about the trajectory of Rwandan basketball. “It’s not expanding fast, but slow motion is better than no motion,” she notes. She points to the construction of world-class training facilities and the growing fan base as catalysts for change.
Reflecting on recent international performances, she identifies communication as the hurdle the team must clear to reach the next level. “If everyone’s not understanding each other, everything falls apart,” she says, emphasising that heart and talent must be matched by tactical cohesion.
{{Unique, selfless, and beautiful
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Outside the courts, Philoxy has embraced the Rwandan way of life, which she describes in three words: unique, selfless, and beautiful. She enjoys the country’s fresh, healthy food and has adopted local staples into her diet. Her favourite meal? Chicken legs with white rice and red sauce, steamed greens, and chapati. ‘I love chapati,’ she adds with a laugh.
Her journey is also etched into her skin. She sports a tattoo of Romans 8:18: “What we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later.” It is a mantra that has carried her through professional stints in Greece and Mexico, and now anchors her as she mentors the next generation of Rwandan stars like Ramla Umunezero.
{{Dreams beyond the court
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In her mid-20s, Philoxy’s ambitions remain global. Within five years, she hopes to test her skills in the elite leagues of Japan or China, following the path of the world’s top WNBA stars. But regardless of where her career takes her, her bond with Rwanda, symbolised by her cherished dreadlocks and her mother’s name tattooed on her arm, is permanent.
Her message to young girls who aspire to take on basketball on the global stage is: “Keep pushing. No matter what people tell you… It’s only possible if you believe it’s possible.”
The 18th edition of the Tour du Rwanda is scheduled to take place from February 22 to March 1, 2026, across several districts of the country.
With two weeks remaining before the international race begins, the Rwanda Cycling Federation (FERWACY) organised the Amahoro Criterium for the second consecutive year, following its debut in 2025, as part of efforts to evaluate riders’ form and race fitness.
The event brought together elite and under-23 male riders from various teams, including four Rwandan outfits set to compete in the Tour du Rwanda: Team Rwanda, May Stars, Team Amani, and Benediction Banaafrica Team.
A total of 54 riders lined up for the race, which started and finished at the Amahoro Stadium (Migina). The 3.9-kilometre circuit, passing through Contrôle Technique, kwa Rwahama, and Airtel, was covered over 12 laps.
Byukusenge crossed the line first in 1 hour and 15 seconds, finishing three seconds ahead of Étienne Tuyizere (Team Rwanda) and Jérémie Ngendahayo (May Stars).
Nsengiyumva Shemu and Shadrack Ufitimana, both of Team Rwanda, completed the top five. Vainqueur Masengesho placed sixth to finish as the best rider from Benediction Banaafrica Team, while Samuel Niyonkuru of Team Amani finished 13th.
Reacting to his victory, Byukusenge said the result reflected the team’s solid preparation ahead of the Tour du Rwanda.
“It was a good race. We have been preparing for some time and have spent over a month in camp. Winning doesn’t come as a surprise because we prepared well,” he said.
He added that the team is aiming for an improved performance compared to last year.
“We are confident we will perform better than last year. Our showing at the Tour of Sharjah demonstrated that we are in good condition.”
In the under-23 category, Shadrack Ufitimana emerged the winner, followed by Kevin Nshutiraguma, both from Team Rwanda, while Aimé Ruhumuriza of May Stars finished third.
