Wednesday, April 30, 2025
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Boissy Drops 37 as REG Stun Orion in RBL.

Boissy
Jean Jacques Boissy exploded for a season-high 37 points to lead REG BBC past Orion 99–80, improving their record to 10–3 and making them the team with the second-fewest losses in the Rwanda Basketball League (RBL) this season.

 

Senegalese guard Jean Jacques Boissy dropped a season-high 37 points on April 29 at Petit Stade, leading REG past Orion to complete a season sweep.

The 25-year-old Senegalese point guard shot 14-of-28 from the field, including 3-of-8 from behind the arc. He added 6 rebounds and 5 assists in 34 minutes of action.

REG bounced back from a 17–26 first-quarter deficit by dominating the remaining periods (28–25, 24–18, 30–11).

Olivier Shyaka posted a double-double with 15 points and 18 rebounds, while Prince Muhizi contributed 19 points.

Boissy
Captain Shyaka dominated the boards for REG, grabbing 18 rebounds.

Boissy’s 37-point effort marked his 13th consecutive game scoring in double digits and his third 30+ point game this season.

Despite the loss, Orion’s Garba Chingka Kennedy delivered a monster double-double with 27 points and 23 rebounds, playing the full 40 minutes. Jeffery Tyrone Stubbs also added 17 points and 8 assists.

Boissy
Garba dribbles past Bigirumwami with ease.

The win improved REG’s record to 10–3, giving them the second-fewest losses in the Rwanda Basketball League (RBL) behind only APR (15–1).

The win was REG’s second straight after back-to-back losses to APR and Tigers. With a playoff berth already secured, REG are now battling the 10–5 Patriots for the second seed.

APR BBC and REG WBBC Clinch GMT 2025 Titles.

APR
APR Basketball Club defended their Genocide Memorial Tournament (GMT) title with a hard-fought 94–92 victory over UGB, while REG Women’s BBC defeated JKL Lady Dolphins to win the 2025 women’s crown.

 

April 27 marked the climax of the GMT 2025, with Rwanda’s reigning league champions continuing their dominance.

APR, the 2024 Rwanda Basketball League champions and GMT defending champions, overcame UGB 94–92 in a thrilling and high-scoring final. The game’s intensity was evident throughout, culminating in a dramatic finish.

Despite standout performances from UGB — including a triple-double of 18 points, 12 rebounds, and 11 assists by Mohamed Doumbya, and a 26-point, 9-rebound effort from Amotoe James Kofi — APR narrowly edged them by two points.

In a back-and-forth battle, APR leaned on their depth, rotating their squad to match UGB’s relentless energy. Even after injuries sidelined key players Osborn Shema and Nobel Boungou, APR’s experience shone through.

Seasoned guard Chasson Randle, formerly of the NBA’s Philadelphia 76ers, Washington Wizards, New York Knicks, Golden State Warriors, and Orlando Magic, nailed a clutch three-pointer that reclaimed the lead in the final moments — a blow from which UGB could not recover.

Randle’s leadership and poise earned him the GMT 2025 Most Valuable Player (MVP) award. This tournament marked his debut in Rwanda, where he made an immediate impact on APR’s passionate fans.

In the women’s final, REG Women’s BBC defeated Uganda’s JKL Lady Dolphins 65–61, led by Ramla Umunezero’s 15 points, Odile Tetero’s 10 points, and Gloriose Byukusenge’s 10 points.

APR
Rwanda Energy Group Women Basketball Club, the GMT 2025 winners

Shadia Nassanga starred for the Dolphins with a game-high 19 points.

REG’s center Maiga Kadidia was named the tournament MVP, averaging 14.3 points and 13.3 rebounds per game.

Elsewhere, Dar City from Tanzania finished third in the men’s category, while Kenya’s KPA claimed third place in the women’s competition.

The Genocide Memorial Tournament (GMT) is an annual event organized by the Rwanda Basketball Federation (FERWABA) in collaboration with the Ministry of Sports and the Rwanda Olympic Committee. It honors members of the basketball community who were killed during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

FERWABA commemorates more than 30 basketball fraternity members lost during the genocide against Tutsi.

Dar City Stuns Patriots to Reach GMT 2025 Semifinals.

Dar City
Dar City Basketball Club shocked the Patriots with a 78-64 victory, finishing the Group B stage with a 1-1 record and advancing to the Genocide Memorial Tournament (GMT) 2025 semifinals.

 

After an opening-day loss to UGB, Dar City bounced back on April 25, stunning the Kigali giants and sending them home early.

The Tanzanian side entered the tournament not only to compete but also to stand in solidarity with Rwanda’s basketball community, commemorating the players, coaches, administrators, and fans lost during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

Beyond participation, Dar City impressed with their organization and high-level play, proving that Tanzanian basketball is quickly rising onto the regional stage.

Despite falling short in their first match, Mohamed Bakari Mbwana’s team showcased quality basketball that won over Kigali fans. The support and morale boost from Game 1 carried them into a confident performance against the Patriots in Game 2.

Dar City raced to a 25-12 lead after the first quarter and maintained a 40-31 advantage at halftime.

Fueled by long-range shooting from Deng Dhieu and Obadiah Noel, the Dar-es-Salaam-based club dominated the third quarter, stretching their lead to 62-47 entering the final period. They kept Patriots at bay throughout the fourth, closing out the game with a commanding 78-64 win.

Obadiah Noel led all scorers with 22 points on 8-22 shooting, including 3-5 from three-point range. The former Westchester Knicks (NBA G-League) player also added 5 rebounds and 2 assists in 25 minutes of action.

Dar City
Noel Obadiah faces old foes APR BBC in the GMT 2025 semifinals.

Deng Dhieu contributed 21 points, while Patriots’ Cole Elliot Lamar was limited to 14 points as his team struggled to display their usual fighting spirit.

With this win, Dar City secured second place in Group B (1-1) behind UGB, while the Patriots finished last and suffered an early exit that stunned Kigali fans.

Dar City will now face APR in the semifinals on Saturday, April 26, at 9 PM at Petit Stade. The other semifinal will feature UGB taking on KPA at 6:30 PM.

In the women’s category, Uganda’s JKL Lady Dolphins will face Kenya’s KPA, followed by a clash between APR WBBC and REG WBBC, renewing their rivalry.

SC Kiyovu Edge Vision FC to Boost Survival Hopes

SC Kiyovu
Abdul Karim Nizigiyimana "Mackenzie" created a chance that secured Kiyovu their fourth consecutive win. | Photo: IGIHE
SC Kiyovu ended their slump with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Vision FC, taking a major step toward securing their Rwanda Premier League (RPL) survival for the 2024–25 season.

 

On April 25, SC Kiyovu defeated Vision FC to claim their fourth consecutive win — and their sixth in the last seven matches — climbing to a surprising 8th place in the provisional RPL standings.

Following a 1-0 home win over Police FC, Kiyovu continued their impressive revival by collecting crucial away points, beating Etincelles at Umuganda Stadium, Mukura at Huye Stadium, and now Vision FC at KPS— all without conceding a goal.

Under the guidance of coach Malik Wade, Kiyovu once again leaned on the heroics of captain and goalkeeper Djihad Nzeyurwanda, who delivered another stellar performance, just as he did against Mukura last week.

After a goalless first half, Kiyovu improved their attacking play, and in the 59th minute, experienced Burundian right-back Abdul Karim Nizigiyimana delivered a powerful cross that was deflected into the net by Vision FC defender Stephen Bonny, giving Kiyovu a much-needed lead that they protected until the final whistle.

Securing three points against a direct relegation rival proved crucial for Kiyovu’s ambitions to remain in the top flight.

The Green Baggies now sit 8th in the table, six points clear of Bugesera, who are currently in 15th place.

SC Kiyovu will aim to continue their winning run when they face Muhazi United on May 3 at KPS.

GMT 2025: APR Rolls Past KPA with Convincing 99-61 Victory

GMT
Former Golden State Warriors guard Chasson Randle made an instant impact, helping APR defeat KPA on his debut.
GMT reigning champions and league pace-setters APR BBC outclassed Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) in their second grueling test of the day.

 

On April 24, APR showcased their depth, rotating players from tip-off to the final whistle, but still managed to defeat KPA by 38 points. 

APR, with Adonis Filer, Ally Kazingufu, Aliou Diarra, Shaffi Habineza, and Chris Ruta all seated courtside, cheering on their teammates, handed debuts to Youssou Ndoye and Chasson Randle.

No APR player played more than 24 minutes, and all players contributed to the scoring, despite having another full team on standby and Jordan McRae opting out before the tournament.

APR head coach James Edward Maye gave all players court time, with only Ndoye logging under 10 minutes (9:47). APR dominated from start to finish, winning every quarter without trailing. Justin Uwitonze led the team with 15 points, all from beyond the arc.

GMT
Justin Uwitonze came off the bench to contribute 15 points.

Ndoye and Randle each added 12 points in their debuts.

KPA’s Morel Spenser (22 pts, 10 reb) and Muchina Bramwel (20 pts, 11 reb) had double-doubles, but their efforts weren’t enough as they fell to the defending champions. They now hope for an APR win over REG to reach the semifinals.

Travel delays forced KPA’s game against REG to be moved from Wednesday to Thursday, resulting in a tough double-header day.

In Group B, UGB edged Dar City 75-71 to book a semifinal spot. Patriots BBC and Dar City face off today, April 25, for the final slot.

In the women’s category, APR WBBC triumphed over Kepler WBBC 58-55, while JKL Dolphins beat East Africa University Rwanda 96-73.

GMT continues this Friday with exciting matchups in both the men’s and women’s categories:

Women’s Games:
• KPA vs APR WBBC – 1:30 PM
• JKL Dolphins vs REG WBBC – 4:00 PM


Men’s Games:
• Dar City vs Patriots BBC – 6:30 PM
• APR BBC vs REG BBC – 9:00 PM

Patriots Fall to UGB in GMT 2025 Opener

GMT 2025
The short-handed Patriots pushed for a late comeback but narrowly lost 65–67 to UGB in the opening game of the Genocide Memorial Tournament, GMT 2025.

 

The tournament tipped off on Wednesday, April 23, at Petit Stade and welcomed international teams for the first time in six years.

The Group B clash between the Patriots and United Generations of Basketball (UGB) opened the men’s competition, with UGB starting strong to clinch the win.

As an international tournament with open slots for foreign players—unlike domestic competitions—GMT 2025 allowed UGB to field all five of their international signings, four of whom started the game.

Meanwhile, Sunny Munyandamutsa’s Patriots opted to rest star imports Cole Elliot Lamar and Frank Kamndoh Betoudji, entrusting local guard Jean Marie Rukerimbere to lead the team.

UGB, coached by Olivier Ndayiragije, capitalized on their advantage early, convincingly winning the first three quarters (18–14, 23–14, 15–12), and they had an 18-point lead during the third quarter.

However, Patriots’ forward Steven Hagumintwari sparked a dramatic comeback, hitting five three-pointers in the final period. His late-game heroics helped tie the score at 65 with just 34 seconds remaining.

With 16 seconds left, Patriots captain Kamilindi fouled UGB’s Mark Burton, and the American-Japanese guard calmly sank both free throws to restore UGB’s lead.

GMT 2025
Mark Burton drew a foul on Olivier Kamilindi in the final 16 seconds and converted two free throws that handed UGB their first win in the GMT 2025

Despite having final possession, Patriots failed to convert and fell short in their tournament opener.

Steven Hagumintwari scored a game-high 20 points, while Jean Marie Rukerimbere contributed 18. Eric Kayondo led UGB with 19 points.

GMT 2025
Young Gun Kayondo Dropped 19 as UGB Stuns Patriots in GMT 2025 Opener

The Patriots return to action on Friday night against Dar City, while UGB face the same opponent today at Petit Stade in the three-team Group B round-robin.

Elsewhere, the scheduled game between REG BBC and Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) was postponed due to KPA’s late arrival in Kigali. It has been rescheduled for today, April 24, at 12 p.m.

In the women’s category, KPA defeated Kepler WBBC 88–63, while REG WBBC cruised past East Africa University Rwanda with a 104–50 victory.

The Genocide Memorial Tournament (GMT) is an annual event organized by the Rwanda Basketball Federation in collaboration with the Ministry of Sports and the Rwanda Olympic Committee. It honors members of the basketball community who were killed during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

APR are the defending champions in both the men’s and women’s competitions. REG BBC remains the last team to win the international edition in 2019, alongside Hoops in the women’s bracket.

Photos: Innocent SHEMA

Patriots Stun APR to Save the League.

Patriots
Patriots defeated APR in their final RBL regular season game, ending APR’s unbeaten run and shaking up a league that once seemed destined to be theirs.

 

On April 20 at BK Arena, Patriots became the first—and only—team to defeat APR in the regular season, handing them their first loss after a 15-game winning streak. 

Bouncing back from a loss to Kepler, Sunny Munyandamutsa’s team showed grit and purpose. Led by Cole Elliott Lamar, who posted 19 points and six assists, the Patriots out-rebounded APR 42-41 and outshot them with 41% field goal accuracy compared to APR’s 31%.

Patriots
Sunny Munyandamutsa savored his biggest win in the Rwanda Basketball League and became the first coach to defeat a highly invested APR team.

The victory gave the Patriots sweet revenge after they had fallen to APR by a single point (68-67) in their first-round meeting.

Though APR had already secured the top seed heading into the postseason, the Patriots’ win—improving their record to 9-5—adds intensity to the playoff picture, with seeding still on the line and momentum swinging.

The unbeaten narrative is over. The playoffs just got a whole lot more interesting in the RBL 2025.

Patriots
The picture says it all. Patriots’ Frank Kamndoh celebrating the win in true basketball fashion. | Courtesy

Wydad AC Celebrates Historic Moment During FIFA Club World Cup Trophy Tour.

FIFA Club World Cup Trophy Tour
The FIFA Club World Cup trophy made a symbolic stop in Casablanca on April 15, as Wydad Athletic Club celebrated its qualification for the 2025 edition with a pride-filled ceremony attended by club legends and former presidents.

 

As part of the Club World Cup trophy tour across all 20 participating countries, the iconic trophy made its nineteenth club stop in Casablanca, Morocco, on April 15–16, visiting Wydad Athletic Club.

The event featured appearances by Wydad legends Noureddine Naybet, Salah Eddine Saidi, and Hassan Benabicha, as well as former president Abdelilah El Manjra and current president Hicham Ait Menna.

FIFA Club World Cup Trophy Tour
Wydad AC legend and Club World Cup ambassador Noureddine Naybet, along with Wydad AC President Hicham Ait Menna, during the FIFA Club World Cup Trophy Tour in CASABLANCA, MOROCCO – APRIL 15: The FIFA Club World Cup Trophy Tour stop at Wydad AC on April 16, 2025 in Casablanca, Morocco. (Photo by Abdelmajid Bziouat – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

During its two-day visit to Casablanca, the trophy toured historic landmarks such as the Hassan II Mosque and Mohammed V Stadium.

FIFA Club World Cup Trophy Tour
Hassan II Mosque, CASABLANCA, MOROCCO – APRIL 16: The FIFA Club World Cup Trophy Tour stop at Wydad AC on April 16, 2025 in Casablanca, Morocco. (Photo by Abdelmajid Bziouat – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
FIFA Club World Cup Trophy Tour
Hicham Ait Menna, President of Wydad AC, with the FIFA Club World Cup trophy at Mohammed V Stadium, CASABLANCA, MOROCCO – APRIL 16: The FIFA Club World Cup Trophy Tour stop at Wydad AC on April 16, 2025 in Casablanca, Morocco. (Photo by Abdelmajid Bziouat – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

The Trophy Tour, currently underway, brings the coveted prize to fans around the world, building excitement ahead of the upcoming tournament.

FIFA Club World Cup Trophy Tour
Kids and fans have the opportunity to pose with the trophy during the FIFA Club World Cup Trophy Tour. CASABLANCA, MOROCCO – APRIL 16: The FIFA Club World Cup Trophy Tour stop at Wydad AC on April 16, 2025 in Casablanca, Morocco. (Photo by Abdelmajid Bziouat – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup will be the biggest ever, with 32 teams and the same format used at the 2022 World Cup.

Wydad secured its place in the prestigious tournament by winning the 2022 African Champions League title. Along with Al Ahly—the reigning CAF Champions League holders—ES Tunis, and Mamelodi Sundowns, Wydad AC will proudly represent Africa in this elite club competition. 

FIFA Club World Cup Trophy Tour
Wydad AC is in Group G of the FIFA Club World Cup alongside Manchester City FC, Al Ain FC, and Juventus FC. CASABLANCA, MOROCCO – APRIL 16: The FIFA Club World Cup Trophy Tour stop at Wydad AC on April 16, 2025 in Casablanca, Morocco. (Photo by Abdelmajid Bziouat – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

The tournament will be held in the USA from Saturday, June 14, to Sunday, July 13, 2025, across 12 stadiums in 11 cities.

The next stop on the Trophy Tour will be Dortmund, Germany.

RBL: Orion Crushes Espoir as Relegation Threat Grows

RBL
Orion Basketball Club handed Espoir their ninth straight loss with an emphatic 87-67 victory in the Rwanda Basketball League (RBL), further deepening the Nyamirambo-based side’s relegation woes.

 

April 16, at Petit Stade, Coach Chaignot Julien Fabian’s side dominated all four quarters throughout the game to seal a commanding 20-point win. 

Orion’s scoring trio—Jeffery Tyrone Stubbs (25 points), Kennedy Chingka Garba (21), and captain Bell Beleck (16)—combined for 67 points. Stubbs recorded a double-double with 12 assists, while Garba owned the boards with an impressive 24 rebounds.

For Espoir, Fataki Nyembo was the lone bright spot, posting a double-double of 25 points and 14 rebounds. He was the only player from Espoir to score in double digits.

The win lifts Orion to fifth place with a 5-8 record, while Espoir, now at 1-12, remains anchored at the bottom of the table and on the brink of relegation. 

in other fixture, APR stretched their unbeaten streak to 15 games with a dominant 85-64 victory over Kepler. They now set their sights on completing a flawless regular season when they face Patriots on Sunday at BK Arena.

RBL
APR BBC (Black) beat Kepler to make it 15 wins in a row in the RBL 2025.

Meanwhile, Patriots also suffered a loss against Tigers. both Patriots and Tigers seemed to have secured playoff spots, joining APR and REG in the top four.

The RBL top four teams will advance to the playoffs, while the team finishing last will face relegation.

Peace Cup Chaos: Power Outage Halts Mukura vs Rayon Sports Clash, Police Hold APR.

Peace Cup
The Peace Cup semifinal between Mukura Victory Sports and Rayon Sports was abruptly halted after just 28 minutes due to a power outage at Huye Stadium. Meanwhile, Police FC held APR to a 1-1 draw at Kigali Pelé Stadium

 

The Huye Stadium fixture, scheduled to kick off at 5 PM, faced multiple delays caused by persistent power issues. The match finally got underway after a 20-minute delay, only to be halted again in the 17th minute. Although technicians briefly restored power using a generator, it failed again after 10 minutes.

With the situation unresolved, referee Celestin Nsabimana and match commissioner Louis Hakizimana decided to abandon the match.

The Rwandan Football Federation has yet to release an official statement on whether the game will be replayed, though they announced that, based on the competition regulations in Article 38, paragraph one, the report concerning this issue has been submitted to the competitions commission for review. However, the regulation does not favor the hosts, Mukura.

Over in Kigali, the Peace Cup reigning champions, Police FC managed to secure a crucial 1-1 draw against APR. Substitute Victor Mbaoma earned a penalty in the 82nd minute, which was converted by Bosco Ruboneka to give APR the lead.

However, Police responded quickly as Lague Byiringiro’s cross found Chukwuma Odili, whose header leveled the score and kept Police in the tie.

The decisive second legs are scheduled for April 22, with Rayon Sports hosting Mukura and APR facing Police the following day. Both matches are set for 3 PM.