Patriots Edge Orion in a Hard-Fought Battle

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March 24, 2025

Patriots defeated Orion 78-72 in a hard-fought game that was decided in the final 47 seconds, bouncing back from two consecutive losses to improve to 6-3 in the Rwanda Basketball League 2025.

Cole Elliot Lamar led the charge with 28 points on Sunday, March 23, helping the Patriots recover from setbacks against APR and REG.

Patriots dominated early, leading by 12 after three quarters (24-15, 19-18, 22-20), but Orion, led by Stubbs, rallied to tie it at 72 with 47 seconds left.

The seasoned American point guard Lamar then drew three fouls and calmly sank all six free throws, sealing the Patriots’ victory and snapping their losing streak.

Lamar finished with a team-high 28 points, shooting 8-of-26 from the field, including 6-of-14 from beyond the arc. On the other side, Orion’s Stubbs Jeffrey Tyrone delivered an outstanding performance, posting a game-high 30 points, along with 7 rebounds and 9 assists.

Later, APR stayed perfect at 11-0, crushing Espoir 91-64 behind Diarra’s 24-point, 13-rebound double-double.

Earlier at the same venue, Azomco made history by securing their first-ever RBL win in an overtime thriller against Kepler.

APR leads the standings at 11-0, followed by REG at 8-1 and Patriots at 6-3. Meanwhile, the battle for the fourth and final playoff spot remains tight, with UGB (4-4) currently holding the edge over Kepler (3-5) and Tigers (3-5).

With Azomco’s first win, the relegation battle is heating up. Both Azomco and Espoir have just one win each, and only one team is set to be relegated.

APR Teams to Battle Police Teams in Rwanda Volleyball League Playoff Finals

By

Evode Munyeshuri

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March 23, 2025

The defending champions, APR, in both the men’s and women’s categories, will face the top-seeded Police teams in the Rwanda Volleyball League Playoffs 2025 Finals in a mouth-watering battle between security entities.

March 22 – Petit Stade, Police Volleyball Clubs set tones for the finals after edging past REG (men) and Kepler (women) to set up a championship clash against reigning champions APR.

In the women’s category, Police VC swept Kepler 2-0 in the best-of-three series to advance to the finals, where APR had already eased past RRA in straight sets on Friday.

The rivalry between APR and Police in women’s volleyball is well-established, and Police will be looking to avenge last season’s upset, when APR came from one game down to defeat them and claim the league title.

In the men’s category, Police stunned REG in four sets, winning the series 2-0 to book their finals ticket. They will now face the army team APR, who dominated Kepler with back-to-back 3-0 to secure their place in the championship round.

APR, who defeated Kepler in last season’s playoff finals, will now take on Police in a highly anticipated battle—one that many predicted.

Both teams split wins in the regular season before clashing again in the Zone V Finals, where APR dethroned Police VC in Kampala. Notably, Police have only suffered two losses this season, both at the hands of APR, adding extra intensity to this final series.

With army teams and law enforcement dominating the local and regional volleyball scene, this final will be a battle of powerhouses.

The best-of-three series will determine the 2025 Rwanda Volleyball League champions, with Game 1 set for Friday, March 28, at Petit Stade.

APR Stuns UGB to Extend Unbeaten Run to 9-0 in RBL 2025

By

Evode Munyeshuri

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March 20, 2025

APR's Adonis Filer led the game with 22 points against UGB.

APR Basketball Club started the second leg of the 2025 Rwanda Basketball League (RBL) with the same momentum from the first leg, defeating UGB 86-59 and extending their perfect record to 9-0.

On March 19 at Petit Stade, APR continued its dominant run in RBL 2025, completing a season double over UGB.

Despite missing numerous players—including Antino Jackson Alvalezes, Victor Mukama, Otobo Israel, Chris Ruta, and Axel Mpoyo (who stayed on the bench without playing)—the back-to-back defending champions once again proved their supremacy. They had previously defeated UGB 86-61 in the first leg.

The army team controlled all four quarters and never trailed, handing UGB its fourth loss of the season.

Aliou Diarra led APR with a double-double, recording 14 points, 14 rebounds, and 3 blocks. Off the bench, Adonis Filer delivered a game-high 22 points, along with 5 assists, 6 rebounds, and 4 steals in just 25 minutes.

Aliou Diarra’s dominance in the paint continues to trouble APR’s opponents in the RBL

For UGB, Doumbya Mohamed posted a double-double of 20 points and 12 rebounds, but he lacked sufficient support. Debutant Amatoe James Kofi had a forgettable night, failing to score or grab a rebound in his 12 minutes on the court.

Earlier at the same venue, Jacques Boissy’s 31-point performance powered REG BBC to a 91-87 win over Espoir, improving their record to 7-1. Espoir (1-8) put up a strong fight in the final quarter, but REG’s game management secured the victory.

RBL 2025 Standings (Top 4)
1. APR—9-0
2. REG—7-1
3. Patriots—5-2
4. UGB—4-4

Only the top four teams will advance to the playoffs.

APR Edges Patriots to Seal Perfect 8-0 RBL First Leg.

By

Evode Munyeshuri

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March 17, 2025

Back-to-back Rwanda Basketball League champions APR BBC narrowly defeated Patriots 68-67 to complete the first leg with a flawless 8-0 record.

APR Basketball extended their unbeaten run on Sunday, March 17, at Petit Stade, as Adonis Filer’s clutch three-pointer denied the Patriots a historic upset.

Sunny Munyandamutsa’s Patriots built an early 28-20 first-quarter lead and maintained their advantage until the final period. However, APR’s big man Aliou Diarra led a late surge, closing the gap before Filer’s game-winning three-pointer with just one second left.

Despite struggling throughout the game, Filer came through in the clutch, adding another crucial win to APR’s streak after last week’s overtime thriller against REG.

Malian center Aliou Diarra shined in his return from a two-week ankle injury, posting 29 points and 15 rebounds. Ntore Habimana added 13 points, 9 rebounds, and a game-shaping assist to Filer.

For the Patriots, Ronald Kolmia recorded a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds, while Cole Elliot Lamar contributed 14 points, suffering his first RBL defeat.

The Army team leads the standings at 8-0, followed by REG (6-1) and Patriots (5-2), with the latter two set to face off in their final first-leg matchup.

APR Teams Begin Playoffs with Emphatic Wins Over Kepler and RRA

By

Evode Munyeshuri

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March 16, 2025

APR men’s and women’s volleyball teams started the Rwanda Volleyball League playoffs with strong performances, securing victories over Kepler and RRA. The wins put them one step closer to the finals as they aim to defend their titles.

On Saturday, March 15, at Petit Stade, APR Volleyball Club dominated Kepler in straight sets in the men’s category, while APR WVC fought off an RRA comeback to win in a decisive fifth set.

Riding high on momentum from the CAVB Zone V Club Championship, Peter Kamasa’s APR entered the postseason as the third seed and edged second-seeded RRA in Game 1.

APR WVC edged RRA in a thrilling five-set battle.

The Army side started strong, claiming the first two sets 30-28 and 25-21 before Elie Mutabazi’s RRA staged a dramatic comeback, winning the next two sets 25-23 and 25-22 to force a decider. However, APR regained control, sealing the match with a commanding 15-8 victory in the final set.

APR WVC’s receiver-attacker Valentine Munezero celebrates after their Game 1 victory over RRA.

In the men’s category, APR stunned Kepler in straight sets (25-20, 25-22, 25-19) to take a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three series.

APR VC beat Kepler in straight sets to take a 1-0 lead in the Rwanda National League playoffs.

With these opening wins, the defending champions and Zone V titleholders are now just one game away from returning to the finals.

Last season, APR defeated Kepler 2-1 in the finals, while the women’s team came from behind to beat Police 2-1.

This year, anticipation is high for a potential APR-Police showdown in both the men’s and women’s finals. The Police Volleyball Clubs, top seeds in the regular season, lead their respective series against REG and Kepler after the first games.

Game 2 of the Rwanda National Volleyball League playoffs is set for next Friday and Saturday.

Rwanda Volleyball League Playoffs Heat Up.

By

Evode Munyeshuri

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March 12, 2025

The Rwanda Volleyball League 2025 Playoffs serve off this Friday with mouth-watering clashes, as top-seeded Police VC takes on REG VC in the men’s category and Kepler in the women’s division.

Petit Stade hosts the highly anticipated Volleyball Playoffs opener on March 14.

Following Rwanda’s dominant performance at the CAVB Zone V Club Championship in Uganda, attention now shifts to the playoffs—the decisive stage of the league.

In the women’s category, top-seeded Police WVC, who suffered just one loss in the regular season, will take on fourth-placed Kepler at 6 PM. Kepler, competing in their debut season, faces a tough challenge against Police, who defeated them twice in the regular season.

The men’s clash at 8 PM will see Police VC take on REG VC, a rematch with high stakes. Police will be looking to avenge last season’s playoff defeat, where REG edged them 2-1 in the third-place battle.

However, Fred Musoni’s Police dominated REG in both regular-season meetings and also secured a bronze-medal victory over them at the CAVB Zone V Club Championship.

On Saturday, defending champions APR will face RRA in the women’s category, while their men’s team will take on Kepler.

The Rwanda Volleyball League 2025 stands out as the most competitive in East Africa, attracting attention as teams make significant investments.

The best-of-three semifinal round of the playoffs will determine the finalists who will compete for the national title.

Tickets are available online at ticquet.rw, with prices starting at 5,000 RWF for two games.

APR FC and Rayon Sports played out another dull goalless draw at Amahoro.

By

Ground Sports

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March 10, 2025

APR FC and Rayon Sports played out a 0-0 draw on Rwanda Premier League matchday 20, marking their third consecutive uninspiring encounter at the modern Amahoro Stadium.

Kigali, March 9 – The highly anticipated Thousand Hills Derby ended in yet another goalless draw, marking the third consecutive lackluster encounter between APR FC and Rayon Sports since the inauguration of the modern Amahoro Stadium.

The ultra-modern Amahoro Stadium has yet to witness a goal in an APR-Rayon Sports derby.

Despite the pre-match hype, the action fizzled out before kickoff, with Rayon Sports putting up a resilient fight to hold APR to a 0-0 draw and maintain their lead at the top of the Rwanda Premier League table.

Rayon Sports controlled possession throughout the match.

Defending champions APR entered the match aiming to close the gap and reclaim the top spot, but they struggled against a dominant Rayon Sports side that controlled possession and neutralized APR’s home advantage.

Rayon Sports’ passionate fanbase backed their team throughout the match, but the Blues couldn’t capitalize on their opportunities to secure all three points.

The draw leaves the league standings unchanged, with Rayon Sports maintaining a two-point lead at the summit with 43 points, while APR follows closely behind at 41.

Looking ahead, the two rivals could meet again in the Peace Cup final—provided they overcome Police FC and Mukura Victory Sports in the semifinals. If they do, fans can expect a definitive winner this time, as the cup final guarantees an outcome.

credit: IGIHE

Cole Elliot Lamar’s Stellar Performance Propels Patriots Over Kepler

By

Evode Munyeshuri

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March 9, 2025

Patriots point guard Cole Elliot Lamar delivered a solid performance, scoring 26 points and adding 9 assists to lead his team to an 84-67 victory over Kepler. The win improves Patriots’ record to 5-1 in the Rwanda Basketball League.

On March 9, at Petit Stade, Patriots secured their fourth consecutive win, with Lamar playing a key role.

Since joining Patriots in February 2025, the American point guard has significantly impacted the team’s play, leading them to a perfect 4-0 record.

Lamar’s 26 points came on 10-of-23 shooting, including 5-of-15 from beyond the arc, while his 9 assists were also a game-high, proving his strong offensive skills.

As the leading scorer for Patriots, Lamar ranks second in the league for three-pointers, behind only APR’s William Robeyns, despite missing the first two games of the season.

With a 5-1 record, Patriots sit second in the rankings, tied with REG, who are 6-1, as the two teams with the fewest losses this season.

Looking ahead, Lamar and Patriots will face REG on March 14 at BK Arena, unless there are any changes.

APR BBC Takes Down REG to Strengthen Grip on the Top Spot

By

Evode Munyeshuri

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March 8, 2025

APR BBC outlasted REG BBC 64-61 in overtime, snapping REG’s six-game winning streak and tightening their hold on the Rwanda Basketball League standings.

Shorthanded APR BBC edged REG on Friday night in a dull game at BK Arena, reinforcing their league supremacy.

The army team and defending champions entered the game missing several key players, including big man Aliou Diarra, who was injured in Wednesday’s game against Espoir.

With Diarra sidelined, along with Adonis Filer, Israel Otobo, and Chris Ruta, REG hoped to capitalize on APR’s weakened lineup, not only to end APR’s strong form but also to break their long losing streak against them, which included a 3-0 playoff sweep last season.

APR’s Osborn Shema returned to the court for the first time since his national team duties, but his limited playing time added complexity to the team’s chemistry, leaving them relying heavily on their backcourt.

Both teams, standing at 6-0 before the game, played below their best. The game ended 59-all in regular time, with APR winning 64-61 in overtime.

The game, with poor shooting and decision-making, raises the question: who can stop APR this season if REG can’t, even without key players?

The win solidifies that the defending champions APR BBC will finish the first leg in the top position.

The Rwanda Peace Cup 2025 semifinals are set.

By

Evode Munyeshuri

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March 7, 2025

Rayon Sports defeated Gorilla FC 1-0 in the second leg of the Rwanda Peace Cup 2025 quarterfinals, securing the final spot in the tournament’s semifinals.

Rayon Sports secured the final spot in the last four after defeating Gorilla FC 1-0 in the second leg of the quarterfinals on March 6 at KPS.

Hadji Iraguha’s lone second-half goal sealed a 3-2 aggregate victory, overturning a 2-2 first-leg draw. The Blues now join APR FC, Mukura Victory Sports, and reigning champions Police FC in this year’s semifinals.

Rayon Sports, aiming for their first Peace Cup title since 2023, will face Mukura Victory Sports, the 2018 winners, in the semifinals. Mukura previously defeated Rayon Sports in the league at Huye Stadium, setting up a competitive two-legged tie.

Meanwhile, APR FC, Rwanda’s most decorated club and record Peace Cup winners, will face defending champions Police FC. Both teams narrowly advanced from the quarterfinals—APR progressed on away goals against Gasogi United, while Police edged AS Kigali 4-3 on aggregate.

The four semifinalists boast a combined 30 Peace Cup titles: APR leads with 13, followed by Rayon Sports (10), Mukura (5), and Police (2), including their most recent triumph.

The winner of the Rwanda Peace Cup earns the right to represent Rwanda in the CAF Confederation Cup.

Patriots Edge Orion in a Hard-Fought Battle

Patriots defeated Orion 78-72 in a hard-fought game that was decided in the final 47 seconds, bouncing back from two consecutive losses to improve to 6-3 in the Rwanda Basketball League 2025.

APR Teams to Battle Police Teams in Rwanda Volleyball League Playoff Finals

The defending champions, APR, in both the men’s and women’s categories, will face the top-seeded Police teams in the Rwanda Volleyball League Playoffs 2025 Finals in a mouth-watering battle between security entities.

APR Stuns UGB to Extend Unbeaten Run to 9-0 in RBL 2025

APR Basketball Club started the second leg of the 2025 Rwanda Basketball League (RBL) with the same momentum from the first leg, defeating UGB 86-59 and extending their perfect record to 9-0.

APR Edges Patriots to Seal Perfect 8-0 RBL First Leg.

Back-to-back Rwanda Basketball League champions APR BBC narrowly defeated Patriots 68-67 to complete the first leg with a flawless 8-0 record.

APR Teams Begin Playoffs with Emphatic Wins Over Kepler and RRA

APR men’s and women’s volleyball teams started the Rwanda Volleyball League playoffs with strong performances, securing victories over Kepler and RRA. The wins put them one step closer to the finals as they aim to defend their titles.

Rwanda Volleyball League Playoffs Heat Up.

The Rwanda Volleyball League 2025 Playoffs serve off this Friday with mouth-watering clashes, as top-seeded Police VC takes on REG VC in the men’s category and Kepler in the women’s division.

APR FC and Rayon Sports played out another dull goalless draw at Amahoro.

APR FC and Rayon Sports played out a 0-0 draw on Rwanda Premier League matchday 20, marking their third consecutive uninspiring encounter at the modern Amahoro Stadium.

Cole Elliot Lamar’s Stellar Performance Propels Patriots Over Kepler

Patriots point guard Cole Elliot Lamar delivered a solid performance, scoring 26 points and adding 9 assists to lead his team to an 84-67 victory over Kepler. The win improves Patriots’ record to 5-1 in the Rwanda Basketball League.

APR BBC Takes Down REG to Strengthen Grip on the Top Spot

APR BBC outlasted REG BBC 64-61 in overtime, snapping REG’s six-game winning streak and tightening their hold on the Rwanda Basketball League standings.

The Rwanda Peace Cup 2025 semifinals are set.

Rayon Sports defeated Gorilla FC 1-0 in the second leg of the Rwanda Peace Cup 2025 quarterfinals, securing the final spot in the tournament’s semifinals.

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