FIBA U16 AfroBasket 2025 Tournaments Head to Kigali

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April 14, 2025

The FIBA U16 AfroBasket 2025 tournaments for boys and girls will be held in Kigali, Rwanda, on separate dates in July and September.

For the first time ever, Kigali will welcome the boys’ tournament from September 2–14, featuring 10 teams competing not only for the continental crown but also for two spots at the FIBA U17 World Cup.

The girls’ tournament is tentatively set for July 18–27, though the dates may change due to the FIBA Women’s AfroBasket 2025, which is scheduled for July 25–August 3.

This will be the second time Rwanda hosts the U16 event, having previously welcomed it in 2019 at Petit Stade.

Qualifiers across the seven African zones begin in May. Rwanda (hosts) and Mali (defending champions) have secured automatic qualification in the women’s category.

In the boys’ competition, Guinea, the reigning champions, will return to defend their title against nine other teams, including host nation Rwanda.

Related story: Rwanda’s U-16 teams land back in Kigali

Preparations are already underway, with both Rwandan boys’ and girls’ teams currently in residential training camps at Lycée de Kigali, under the guidance of coaches Patrick Habiyambere (boys) and Joseline Munyaneza (girls). Dr. Cheikh Sarr oversees the training.

Since its inception in 2009, the FIBA U16 AfroBasket has been held biennially. Mali has dominated the women’s competition, winning every edition, while Egypt leads the men’s category with five titles. Guinea is the current boys’ champion.

The finalists in both boys’ and girls’ competitions will represent Africa at the FIBA U17 World Cups.

East African Teams Invited to Genocide Memorial Basketball (GMT) 2025 Tournament.

By

Evode Munyeshuri

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April 13, 2025

Teams from Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania have been invited to participate in the 2025 Genocide Memorial Tournament (GMT), held in remembrance of members of the basketball community who were killed during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

Scheduled to take place from April 23 to 27, this year’s edition marks the first time in six years that the tournament will feature teams from the East African region.

The GMT 2025 will bring together eight Rwandan teams—four in each gender category. In the men’s category, local clubs APR BBC, REG BBC, Patriots, and Tigers will compete, while Kepler, REG WBBC, APR WBBC, and IPRC Huye will represent the women’s side.

APR’s men’s and women’s teams will defend the titles they won in 2024 at BK Arena. REG BBC, meanwhile, remains the last team to win the international edition of the tournament.

Originally initiated in 1996 by Espoir BBC as the “Gisembe Memorial Tournament”—in honor of their player and coach Emmanuel Ntarugera “Gisembe,” who was killed during the Genocide—the event was renamed in 2013 to the Basketball Genocide Memorial Tournament.

In 2015, in a collaboration with the Rwanda Basketball Federation and Espoir BBC, the tournament adopted a dual structure, combining both local and international competitions. By 2019, it had fully transitioned into an international event.

That year, REG BBC defeated Patriots in the men’s final, while The Hoops Rwanda claimed the women’s title after overcoming RP-IPRC Huye.

The tournament was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic and returned in 2024, featuring only local teams. APR emerged victorious in both the men’s and women’s categories.

Now, after a six-year hiatus from international participation, the 2025 edition will once again welcome regional teams. The top four clubs from the Rwanda Basketball League’s first round will face off against invited teams from Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania.

The Genocide Memorial Tournaments are organized annually by Rwanda’s Olympic Committee and national federations to honor the memory of athletes, coaches, administrators, and fans who were killed in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

To mark the 31st commemoration, the Rwanda Basketball Federation is once again extending a hand to the regional community to stand in solidarity and remembrance through sport.

Stubbs Jeffery Tyrone drops 27 points to help Orion defeat Kepler.

By

Evode Munyeshuri

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April 6, 2025

American point guard Stubbs Jeffery Tyrone recorded a 27-point, 11-assist double-double to lead Orion past Kepler 83–77, completing a double on them and snapping a three-game losing streak in the RBL.

Coming off losses to Patriots, APR, and Tigers, Orion bounced back in style behind Stubbs, who played the entire 40 minutes without rest. He shot 8-18 from the field and 10-13 from the free-throw line, recording both a game-high in points and assists. His 11 dimes also mark his season high.

Nigerian center Chingka Garba Kennedy added 9 points and a dominant 16 rebounds, while team captain Belleck Bell chipped in with 20 points, 8 boards, and 5 assists.

Kepler’s Chad Bowie Jordan impressed in his return from injury, scoring 24 points to go with 8 rebounds and 7 assists.

Stubbs now averages 19.0 points and 6.0 assists per game through 12 appearances this season. His 73 total assists currently lead the league.

At 4-8, Orion’s playoff hopes hang by a thread with four regular season games remaining. They’ll need to avoid further slip-ups, especially with Tigers sitting at 7-5.

The path ahead is tough but not impossible—Orion has already played APR and Patriots, with only REG posing a major challenge in their remaining schedule.

Unstoppable APR Downs REG, Extends RBL Streak to 14

By

Evode Munyeshuri

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April 5, 2025

APR Basketball Club extended their unbeaten run in the Rwanda Basketball League (RBL) 2025 to 14 games with a gritty 69-62 victory over rivals REG BBC, completing a regular-season double over the former champions.

Powered by Aliou Diarra’s dominant performance — 18 points and 16 rebounds — APR tightened their grip on the top spot with a crucial win on Friday night at Petit Stade.

Edward James Maye’s APR side started slowly, allowing REG to take the first quarter 16-10. However, the defending champions bounced back strongly, dominating the second and third periods (20-8 and 17-11) to enter the final quarter with a commanding 12-point lead.

REG, led by Jean Jacques Boissy, mounted a late push in the fourth quarter. But frustrations over officiating boiled over as APR held firm, closing out the game despite REG outscoring them 27-22 in the final period.

The match ended in tension, with Boissy visibly frustrated and needing to be restrained by teammates as he attempted to confront crew chief Leslie Cherubin. The Senegalese point guard, who averages 21 points per game, finished with 18 points.

RPL — Jean Jacques Boissy taking a shot over APR’s Jean Jacques Nshobozwabyosenumukiza.

REG sorely missed the presence of injured star Cleveland Thomas in their efforts to halt APR’s momentum.

Prince Muhizi led REG with a team-high 20 points.

Diarra’s two-way dominance and Jordan McRae’s experience led APR past REG, preserving their perfect record and title favorite status.

Friday’s victory marked APR’s 16th consecutive win over REG across all competitions. The last time REG beat APR was on September 2, 2022, during Game 3 of the playoff semifinals at Stecol.

Only Prince Muhizi and Olivier Shyaka remain from that REG team, while APR’s William Robeyns and Ally Kazingufu Kubwimana are the lone holdovers from their squad.

RBL — Captain Shyaka (RED), one of the two REG players who were in the team that beat APR in 2022.

Despite the loss, REG remains second in the standings with an 8-3 record, just ahead of Patriots (7-3) and Tigers (7-5), setting up a thrilling battle for playoff seeding.

APR WVC beat CFC to start the Women’s African Club Championship 2025 on a positive note.

By

Evode Munyeshuri

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April 3, 2025

APR WVC stunned Tunisia’s Club Féminin de Carthage (CFC) 3-1 to start the 2025 CAVB Women’s African Championship strong in Abuja, Nigeria.

ABUJA, April 3— At Moshood Abiola Sports Stadium, Rwanda’s flag bearers, APR WVC, came from a set down to defeat Tunisia’s champions, CFC, securing their first three points in Group A of the African Club Championship.

Peter Kamasa’s side started cautiously, allowing the Tunisians to take the first set 25-18. However, the Rwandan champions responded with a narrow 26-24 win in the second set.

Buoyed by their momentum, APR edged past the Rekaya Kamel-coached side again in the third set, winning 25-23. The Rwandan army team then sealed the victory in the fourth set, triumphing 25-22 to claim all three points on matchday one.

APR’s Group A opening win keeps their ambitions intact, as the CAVB Zone V Club Championship winners aim high this season.

Next, the black-and-white girls will face Nigeria’s Customs and Cameroon’s Mayo Kani in their remaining group matches.

The Group A winners will earn the chance to face the fourth-placed team from Group D, featuring Police, in the round of 16.

Some game photos

Image Credit: Amon B. NUWAMANYA

Patriots Beat UGB to Avenge First-Round Loss

By

Evode Munyeshuri

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March 31, 2025

Patriots defeated UGB 88-73 in the Rwanda Basketball League on Sunday, March 30, at Petit Stade, securing back-to-back wins and improving to a 7-3 record.

Led by Cole Elliot Lamar, Sunny Munyandamutsa’s squad dominated the first half, outscoring UGB 21-16 and 26-14 to take a 16-point lead at halftime. Although Patriots slowed down in the second half (17-20, 24-23), they maintained control to seal a 15-point victory.

Lamar led the scoring with 21 points on 6-16 shooting, including 5-13 from behind the arc, while also contributing seven assists in 30 minutes.

Ronald Kolmia Nato (15), Steven Hagumintwari (14), and Frank Kamndoh (10) played key roles, with Kamndoh also adding 11 rebounds.

UGB captain Steven Perrierre delivered a double-double with 19 points and 15 rebounds.

Following a defeat at the hands of REG on March 21st, the Patriots have now won back-to-back games, beating Orion in a thrilling last-game battle.

UGB handed the Patriots their first loss of the season, defeating them 73-69 at LDK Gymnasium.

The win keeps Patriots in third place, just one victory behind second-place REG (8-2), though both teams remain far from APR’s dominant 13-0 record.

UGB holds fifth place with a 4-6 win-loss record.

APR Beats Orion 96-77 to Extend Unbeaten Streak to 12.

By

Evode Munyeshuri

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March 29, 2025

APR Basketball Club defeated Orion 96-77, securing their 12th consecutive victory in the Rwanda Basketball League.

The back-to-back defending champions asserted their dominance on Friday night at Petit Stade, outscoring Orion to maintain their unbeaten run.

This game made history as the first-ever NBA alumnus stepped onto the court in the Rwanda Basketball League.

APR’s Jordan McRae received applause for his #RBL25 debut.

The former player for the Pistons, Nuggets, Suns, Wizards, and Cavs is the first NBA alum in the league.

A 2016 NBA champion, McRae is in 🇷🇼 to help APR defend their league and improve their performance in the BAL. pic.twitter.com/psUSmj56wx

— Ground Sports (@GroundSports1) March 28, 2025

Orion put up a strong fight against a well-rounded APR squad but struggled to keep up as the game progressed, relying heavily on just two key players.

APR — American point guard Stubbs Jeffery Tyrone

Point guard Stubbs Jeffery Tyrone was a major offensive threat for Orion, scoring 25 points, but APR head coach James Edwards Maye Jr. made the necessary adjustments to contain him in crucial moments.

In the paint, Garba Chingka Kennedy was a dominant force, tallying 22 points and 14 rebounds, forcing APR to double-team him, as Aliou Diarra alone struggled to stop him.

Garba’s dominance in the paint posed a serious threat to APR.

Despite the 19-point margin, the score does not fully reflect the intensity of the game. APR took control in the final quarter, neutralizing Orion’s key players and capitalizing on their physicality while also sinking multiple long-range shots to seal the victory.

Adonis Filer played a crucial role in the second half with strong perimeter defense on Stubbs, helping APR extend their winning streak.

Aliou Diarra led APR with 20 points and 14 rebounds, followed by Adonis Filer with 16 points, Ntore Habimana with 15 points, and both Wilson Nshobozwabyosenumukiza and Axel Mpoyo contributing 13 points each.

APR’s Aliou Diarra displayed a double-double performance with 20 points and 14 rebounds.

For Orion, Stubbs Jeffery Tyrone delivered an impressive performance with 25 points, 9 assists, and 7 rebounds, while Garba Chingka Kennedy added 22 points and 14 rebounds. Captain Belleck also made an impact with 13 points.

APR’s unbeaten streak now stands at 12-0 while Orion currently sits in sixth place with a 3-7 record.

Photos: Innocent Shema

Damaria Franklin drops 30 points to lead Azomco past UGB for back-to-back wins.

By

Evode Munyeshuri

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March 27, 2025

American guard Damaria Franklin’s 30-point performance against UGB secured Azomco’s back-to-back victory and their second overall win in the Rwanda Basketball League.

Following an overtime thriller against Kepler last weekend, a determined Azomco dominated UGB, fueled by a stellar double-double performance from Damaria Franklin.

Franklin, Azomco’s leading scorer, was once again unstoppable, dropping 30 points, 11 rebounds, and 4 assists in 35 minutes on the floor. His performance marked his seventh double-digit outing in eight games this season.

The 26-year-old guard is averaging 22.7 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game in the Rwanda Basketball League 2025. Thanks to his consecutive 30-point performances against Kepler and UGB, Azomco has not only climbed out of the relegation zone but is also emerging as a serious threat to teams they will face in the second round.

Franklin’s dominance in the first round has been further boosted by the arrival of Richard Bizimungu, who joined the squad before the second round.

Bizimungu dominated the boards, recording double-doubles and grabbing 32 rebounds in two games.

After finishing the first round with a dismal 0-8 record, Azomco has flipped the script in the second round, now standing at 2-0 and 2-8 overall. Their resurgence has seen them escape the relegation zone for the first time this season, leaving Espoir BBC at the bottom with a 1-9 record.

Azomco’s newfound momentum will face its toughest test yet on Sunday when they take on the unbeaten APR at Petit Stade.

The Expanded FIFA Club World Cup to Kick Off with a Massive Prize Pool

By

Evode Munyeshuri

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March 26, 2025

FIFA announced on Tuesday, March 25, a $1 billion prize fund for the expanded Club World Cup, with the tournament winner set to receive $125 million.

The expanded FIFA Club World Cup, featuring 32 teams from all continents, will take place from June 14 to July 13 in the U.S. with amazing prize money and participation bonuses.

Expanding from seven to 32 teams across all six confederations, the FIFA Club World Cup will distribute the $1 billion prize fund among all participating teams based on various factors. Of this, $525 million will be divided among all clubs, while $475 million will be awarded based on performance.

Gianni Infantino, the boss International Federation of Association Football stated that the tournament’s financial model reflects the most prestigious and elite level of competition in club football history.

“The distribution model of the FIFA Club World Cup reflects the pinnacle of club football and represents the biggest-ever prize money for a football tournament comprising a seven-match group stage and playoff format with a potential payout of USD 125 million foreseen for the winners,” said FIFA President Gianni Infantino.

According to the distribution plan announced by FIFA, all 32 participating teams will receive payments based on a ranking system that considers both sporting and commercial criteria.

European teams will get between $12.81 million and $38.19 million each, South American teams $15.21 million, teams from North/Central America, the Caribbean, Asia, and Africa $9.55 million, and Oceania’s representative $3.58 million.

Each team will play three group-stage matches, earning a $2 million bonus for a win and $1 million for a draw. Teams that advance to the Round of 16 will receive an additional $7.5 million.

Quarter-finalists will receive additional $13.125 million, semi-finalists $21 million, runners-up $30 million, and the champions $40 million.

FIFA has also pledged to allocate $250 million to clubs worldwide that did not qualify for the tournament. However, the exact distribution method and amounts for these clubs are yet to be determined.

“In addition to the prize money for the participating teams, there is an unprecedented solidarity investment program where we have a target of an additional 250 million dollars being provided to club football across the world. This solidarity will undoubtedly provide a significant boost in our ongoing efforts in making football truly global.” said Infantino

“Not only that, but FIFA will neither retain any funding for this tournament, as all revenues will be distributed to club football, nor will it touch FIFA’s reserves, which are set aside for global football development through the 211 FIFA Member Associations.” Added FIFA boss

The highly anticipated FIFA Club World Cup 2025 will feature four African clubs, including Egypt’s Al Ahly (the reigning CAF Champions League champions), Wydad AC, ES de Tunis, and Mamelodi Sundowns.

Lesotho held Rwanda to a 1-1 draw in front of a packed Amahoro Stadium in the FIFA World Cup 2026 African Qualifiers.

By

Evode Munyeshuri

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March 25, 2025

Lehlohonolo Fothoane’s 82nd-minute goal for Lesotho canceled out Jojea Kwizera’s stunning opener for Rwanda, silencing the 45,000 fans who had filled the stadium for the FIFA World Cup 2026 African Qualifiers Group C clash on March 25.

Rwanda, having won the first-leg encounter against Lesotho, entered the match eager to bounce back from their 2-0 defeat to Nigeria just three days earlier at the same venue.

As they did against Nigeria, Rwandan fans turned up in large numbers to support Amavubi.

The home side dominated possession and finally broke the deadlock in the 58th minute when Jojea Kwizera, who had also scored in the first-leg win over Lesotho, controlled a long pass from Thierry Manzi before beating goalkeeper Sekhoane Moerane to send the crowd into celebration.

Despite maintaining possession, Rwanda’s attacking threat diminished as the game progressed. Lesotho took advantage, and in the 82nd minute, Lehlohonolo Fothoane struck the equalizer, silencing the home supporters.

The 1-1 draw, following the loss to Nigeria, has left Rwandan fans questioning the future of Adel Amrouche’s team, especially after his predecessor, Torsten Frank Spittler, had already won their hearts with his approach.

Rwanda currently sits second in Group C with eight points, trailing leaders South Africa (13 points). Up next, Amavubi will travel to Nigeria in September for a crucial qualifier.

FIBA U16 AfroBasket 2025 Tournaments Head to Kigali

The FIBA U16 AfroBasket 2025 tournaments for boys and girls will be held in Kigali, Rwanda, on separate dates in July and September.

East African Teams Invited to Genocide Memorial Basketball (GMT) 2025 Tournament.

Stubbs Jeffery Tyrone drops 27 points to help Orion defeat Kepler.

American point guard Stubbs Jeffery Tyrone recorded a 27-point, 11-assist double-double to lead Orion past Kepler 83–77, completing a double on them and snapping a three-game losing streak in the RBL.

Unstoppable APR Downs REG, Extends RBL Streak to 14

APR Basketball Club extended their unbeaten run in the Rwanda Basketball League (RBL) 2025 to 14 games with a gritty 69-62 victory over rivals REG BBC, completing a regular-season double over the former champions.

APR WVC beat CFC to start the Women’s African Club Championship 2025 on a positive note.

APR WVC stunned Tunisia’s Club Féminin de Carthage (CFC) 3-1 to start the 2025 CAVB Women’s African Championship strong in Abuja, Nigeria.

Patriots Beat UGB to Avenge First-Round Loss

Patriots defeated UGB 88-73 in the Rwanda Basketball League on Sunday, March 30, at Petit Stade, securing back-to-back wins and improving to a 7-3 record.

APR Beats Orion 96-77 to Extend Unbeaten Streak to 12.

APR Basketball Club defeated Orion 96-77, securing their 12th consecutive victory in the Rwanda Basketball League.

Damaria Franklin drops 30 points to lead Azomco past UGB for back-to-back wins.

American guard Damaria Franklin’s 30-point performance against UGB secured Azomco’s back-to-back victory and their second overall win in the Rwanda Basketball League.

The Expanded FIFA Club World Cup to Kick Off with a Massive Prize Pool

FIFA announced on Tuesday, March 25, a $1 billion prize fund for the expanded Club World Cup, with the tournament winner set to receive $125 million.

Lesotho held Rwanda to a 1-1 draw in front of a packed Amahoro Stadium in the FIFA World Cup 2026 African Qualifiers.

Lehlohonolo Fothoane’s 82nd-minute goal for Lesotho canceled out Jojea Kwizera’s stunning opener for Rwanda, silencing the 45,000 fans who had filled the stadium for the FIFA World Cup 2026 African Qualifiers Group C clash on March 25.

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