Valentine Munezero and Benitha Mukandayisenga capped off a flawless season by winning the third and final phase of the 2025 Rwanda Beach Volleyball National Tour, completing a clean sweep of all three phases organized by the Rwanda Volleyball Federation (FRVB).
The dominant duo won the third phase with a straight-sets victory over Penelope Musabyimana and Sharon Amito on June 15 at the shores of Lake Kivu in Rubavu.
This final phase featured 58 players—13 women’s pairs and 16 men’s pairs—from eight countries, including Rwanda, and was held over three days in Rubavu District, concluding on June 15.
In the women’s category, Munezero and Benitha once again showcased their dominance. After winning the first and second phases held at King Fisher Resort in Rwesero, they overcame familiar rivals Musabyimana and Amito—whom they had also beaten in the previous phase’s final and at the Mamba Open Tournament earlier in the season.
In the men’s competition, Ghanaian star Paul Akan continued to make waves in Rwandan beach volleyball.
Having ended the long-standing dominance of Rwanda’s Ntagengwa and Kavalo, Akan teamed up with compatriot Abdul-Hameed Ibrahim to secure a 2-1 final win over Rwandans Mandela Nzirimo and Revis Niyikiza.
Akan’s journey throughout the tour saw him adapt to different partners: he finished second in the first phase with Prince Kanamugire, won the second phase with Jahara Koita, and sealed the third-phase victory alongside Ibrahim.
Zimbabwe’s Jennifer Tembo and her Nigerian RRA teammate, Elizabeth Ijeoma claimed bronze in the women’s category, while Tanzanians David Neeke and Bure Hassim took bronze on the men’s side.
The Rwanda Beach Volleyball National Tour is recognized by the FIVB and awards points toward the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Ranking. With this victory, Munezero and Benitha will earn 40 points, bringing their total to 512 and elevating them to 3rd place in Africa.
However, due to the limited number of beach volleyball competitions in Rwanda and across the continent, the duo had entered this final phase ranked 275th globally and 5th in Africa—with 472 points—a significant drop from their 113th world ranking in January.
