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Rwanda Division 2: The battle for Premier League Promotion

By
Evode Munyeshuri
-
Rwanda Division 2: The battle for Premier League Promotion
Lomami Andre of Gorilla FC (white) in the match against Rwamagana City | Courtesy Photo

Division 2 teams have reached a critical juncture in the Premier League Promotion battle.

Etoile de l’Est, Gorilla FC, Rutsiro and Vision FC have all booked their semifinal slots where they have to compete to reach the final, with the teams reaching the final earning an automatic entry to play the Top tier league.

The Quater finals took place today, with the Eastern Province and Ngoma district based team, Etoile de l’est defeating Interforce FC 1-0, from the 59th-minute goal scored by the team’s new striker, Amini Mwizerwa. It is one step closer to the top tier league for this team led by experienced head coach Abdul Bizimana. In last season, Heroes eliminated them at the semi-final stage on away goals rule therefore they are determined to get the promotion this year.

In the other match, thanks to Adolphe Hakizimana’s brace and Emile Kwizera’s goal, Rutsiro FC defeated Alpha FC 3-0. Formerly known as Hope FC, the  Rutsiro district based team is among the favourites as they finished the group stage games on the top, having won eight of the 10 matches played.

Gorilla FC, which is playing the first season after their establishment last year, beat Rwamagana City 3-0. Richard Nsengimana, Jean Claude Nizeyimana and Protais Sindambiwe scored the goals. Gorilla FC will face Etoile de l’est in the semifinals which means that only one team between them will play in the Premier League next season.

Etoile de l’est, Gorilla FC, Rutsiro FC and Vision FC who advanced after Amagaju FC were disqualified, will have to battle for the 2 slots to replace Gicumbi FC and Heroes FC relegated in 2019/2020 season.

The semifinal games are scheduled for Wednesday, November 18 and the winners will be guaranteed a promotion to the Rwanda Premier League next season which is expected to begin on December 4, 2020.

Quarterfinal, November 14, 2020
Etoile de l’est 1-0 Interforce FC
Gorilla FC 3-0 Rwamagana City
Rutsiro FC 3-0 Alpha FC
Vision FC advanced following the FA’s decision to disqualify Amagaju FC

Semifinals, November 18, 2020
13:00 Rutsiro FC vs Vision FC
15:30 Etoile de l’est vs Gorilla FC
all the games will be played at Kigali Stadium and behind closed doors.
 

The Silverbacks To Set Off For Egypt Ahead Of The FIBA AfroBasket 2021 Qualifiers

By
Kenneth Lwanga
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The Silverbacks To Set Off For Egypt Ahead Of The FIBA AfroBasket 2021 Qualifiers

The Uganda senior national men’s basketball team the Silverbacks will travel to Egypt to play their Group E FIBA AfroBasket 2021 Qualifiers matches. 

In a press release by FUBA the basketball governing body of Uganda, the Silverbacks will travel to Egypt on Saturday ahead of their Group E FIBA AfroBasket 2021 Qualifiers matches against Egypt, Morocco and Cape Verde.

FUBA in this press release also announced the names of 4 officials, 2 coaches, 2 Medical staff and 7 local-based players who will travel to participate in Egypt. FUBA also called 5 foreign-based players.

The local-based played will be joined by their foreign-based teammates for a training camp before the tournament commences on November 27th through to 29th.

The local-based players include Jimmy Abraham Enabu, Tonny Drileba, Benjamin Komachech, James Okello, Joseph Ikong, Titus Odeke and Stanley Mugerwa.
The foreign-based players include Robinson Opong Odoch, Deng Gau, Ishmail Wainright, Eric Rwahire and Emmanuel Mugenga.
Coaches: Mandy Juruni Lutwama and Andrew Tendo.
Medical: RamMpuuga Nyakana and Ivan Williamsa Nyenje
Team Officials: Nasser Sserunjogi, Santur Ghedi Mohamed, Grace Kwezira and Albert Ahebwa.

Uganda will play against Egpyt, Morocco and Cape Verde on November 27th, 28th and 29th respectively.

Uganda’s U20 Ladies Afforded More Time To Prepare.

By
Kenneth Lwanga
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Uganda's U20 Ladies Afforded More Time To Prepare.
Uganda U20 in training camp | Courtesy Photo

Uganda’s U20 Ladies national volleyball team have the chance to better their preparations after CAVB postpones its activities to next year. 

In a bid to align CAVB and FIVB activities, the volleyball governing body of African decided to suspend all its activities this year 2020 until 2021. Uganda was chosen to host the Junior 2020 Women’s U-20 Nations Championship in Kampala between December 4th to 13th.

This time window was considered as insufficient given the current global pandemic crisis. The time frame would not be enough to get the ladies in proper shape for a better chance to compete following the limitations in lockdown.

The news comes as a blessing in disguise for Uganda as the U20 Junior lady’s team now has ample time gear up for the championships.

This decision also comes at a time when outgoing President Dr Amr Elwani handsover office to Bouchra Hajij. In a CAVB Elective held online last month, Bouchra Hajij was elected the 5th president of CAVB after defeating Dr Amr Elwani.

CAVB has since mentioned that they will be sending out communication for the new dates of the championships to the respective federations. Hopes are that the final decision will not strip Uganda of hosting rights.

Halid Lwaliwa’s Goal Made The Difference For Uganda

By
Kenneth Lwanga
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Halid Lwaliwa's Goal Made The Difference For Uganda
Lwaliwa Halid | Courtesy Photo

The Uganda Cranes were close to booking another draw when Halid Lwaliwa came to his team’s rescue.

24-year-old Vipers SC defender Halid Lwaliwa delivered his team after scoring from a free-kick taken by Farouk Miya in the 85th minute to secure 3 points for Uganda.

Halid Lwaliwa came on in the second half 68 minutes into game replacing Ronald Mukiibi who could not continue playing because of an injury. The defender was the difference Uganda needed to win this game and keep hopes of leading table high.

Left-back Joseph Benson Ochaya will miss the return leg in Nairobi Kenya after he picked two cards from the qualifiers.

Opponents South Sudan who are at the bottom in Group B are yet to register a point as they have lost 3 of their games played. South Sudan was very resilient yesterday when they held Uganda until late in the game.

Burkina Faso beat Malawi 3-1 therefore Uganda is now at 2nd place behind Burkina Faso with both teams sharing 7 points.

In other games neighbours Rwanda filed their first point in the competition after they drew with Cape Verde. Kenya drew 1-1 against Comoros and Burundi also drew 1-1.

 

AFCON Qualifiers: Amavubi draw in Cape Verde

By
Evode Munyeshuri
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AFCON Qualifiers: Amavubi draw in Cape Verde
Amavubi | Source: FERWAFA

Rwanda’s Amavubi file first point in Group F after drawing with Cape Verde.

Matchday 3 of 2021 African Cup of Nations Qualifiers in Group F saw Rwanda National team, Amavubi register their first point in the campaign after a goalless draw with Cape Verde.

Rwanda travelled to Praia at Estádio Nacional Blue Shark Cabo Verde to face now 3rd place holders in the group. In the 50th minute, Rwanda had a great scoring opportunity, Meddie Kagere with an open goal but failed to put the ball in the net. 4 minutes later, Cape Verde’s Lisandro Semedo had a one on one with Rwandan goalie Kwizera but the former failed to score after a fantastic save of the match to keep level pegging.

Head Coach Mashami made two offensive changes in the last 20 minutes but the opponent resisted until the last minutes and it ended 0-0. Cameroon beat Mozambique 4-1 in another match held in Douala. The results of this match did not change the rankings in this group, Cameroon lead with 7 points in 3 games.

The returning leg is scheduled in 5 days at Kigali Stadium and Rwanda will be looking for the first win of this Qualifier.

Cape Verde Starting XI: Vozinha, Stopira, Steven Fortes, Ponck, Jeffrey Fortes, Nuno Borges, Jamiro Monteiro, Ryan Mendes (C), Lisandro Semedo, Ricardo Gomes and Djaniny
Subs: Ivan Cruz, Marcio da Rosa, Roberto Lopes, Marco Soares, Kevin Oliveira, Helder Tavares, Mailson Lima, Platini and Julio Tavares
Rwanda Starting XI: Olivier Kwizera, Omborenga Fitina, Abdoul Rwatubyaye, Thierry Manzi, Emmanuel Imanishimwe, Yannick Mukunzi, Ally Niyonzima, Haruna Niyonzima, Djihad Bizimana, Jacques Tuyisenge and Meddie Kagere
Subs: Yves Kimenyi, Eric Ndayishimiye, Ange Mutsinzi, Herve Rugwiro, Aimable Nsabimana, Eric Rutanga, Kevin Muhire, Steve Rubanguka, Djabel Manishimwe, Muhadjir Hakizimana, Osée Iyabivuze and Savio Dominic Nshuti

Elsewhere, Uganda Cranes beat South Sudan 1-0 at St Mary’s Kitende to complete the third clean sheet in three games. Halid Lwaliwa scored the solo goal. Dennis Onyango and his teammates are second in Group B behind Burkina Faso on the difference in goals scored because they equal the number of points and goals difference.

Yesterday, at Kasarani stadium Comoros drew against Harambe stars of Kenya 1-1. M’Changama scored from a free-kick to put the visitors ahead but Masud Juma cancelled the win in the 65th minute of the game

In Mauritania, Saido Ntibazonkiza earned the Swallows of Burundi a draw through the 86th minute spectacular free-kick. The match ended 1-1.

The Taiffa Stars of Tanzania are in Tunisia to face the eagles of carthage. This Match is scheduled for November 13, 2020 at 22:00 East African time at Rades Stadium

Rwanda Division 2: Amagaju FC are disqualified from playoffs

By
Evode Munyeshuri
-
Rwanda Division 2: Amagaju FC are disqualified from playoffs

2nd Division side Amagaju FC will not contend in the competition’s playoffs for a spot in the top tier league.

The FERWAFA Executive Committee met on 11/11/2020, with the Playoffs in the men’s second division on the agenda. The games are set to begin on Friday, November 13, 2020, with two teams looking for promotion to the top division league in the 2020/2021 season.

One of the expectations of the FERWAFA Executive Committee meeting was to decide on the issue of  AMAGAJU FC. The team wrote to FERWAFA requesting to postpone their playoffs matches due to its 11 players who tested positive for COVID-19.

The issue comes after the Nyamagabe based club was negligent following tests conducted on the squad who went into camp but one player, in particular, Evariste MURINDWA, who tested after the group and while he awaited the results, he met other players in the camp. The player is considered the culprit cause of the COVID-19 infections in the team. This has since led to 11 players testing positive for COVID-19.

Rwanda Football governing body, Ferwafa After analyzing this issue and finding that Amagaju had been sloppy in implementing the COVID-19 anti-proliferation regulations, they have suspended Amagaju in the Rwanda Football Division 2 playoffs. This gives Vision FC a chance to advance to the next round, semifinals.

Two best teams in the playoffs will replace Gicumbi FC and Heroes FC relegated in the 2019/2020 season.

Rwanda Football Division 2 Playoffs Schedule (Revised):

QUARTER FINAL ROUND
Saturday, November 14, 2020
Etoile de l’est vs Interforce FC at Kigali Stadium, 10:30
Gorilla FC vs Rwamagana City at Kigali Stadium, 13:00
Rutsiro FC vs Alpha FC at Kigali Stadium, 15:30

SEMI FINAL ROUND
Wednesday, November 18, 2020
Winner (Rutsiro FC vs Alpha FC) vs Vision FC at Kigali Stadium, 13:00

Winner (Etoile de l’est vs Interforce FC) vs Winner (Gorilla FC vs Rwamagana City) at Kigali Stadium, 15:30

The final game is scheduled on November 21, 2020, 15:00 at Kigali Stadium

APR FC To Battle With Gor Mahia – CAF Champions League

By
Evode Munyeshuri
-
APR FC | Courtesy Photo

Rwanda’s APR FC will battle Kenya’s Gor Mahia in the CAF Champions League in the first leg, a home start to draw leverage from for the former.

Rwanda Army side APR FC learnt that they will battle Kenya giants Gor Mahia in the Total CAF Champions League 2020/2021 preliminary round  1st leg expected between 27th – 29th November 2020.

APR FC and Gor Mahia FC were crowned champions of their respective leagues last season which automatically entitles them to represent their countries at the continental club competition CAF Champions League.

Gor Mahia went into training early when the Kenya government announced the lift in the ban of sports in the country. In contrast, APR FC has been preparing by arranging friendly games with league counterparts AS Kigali and other 2nd division teams.

APR FC will have to make the most of the 1st leg starting fixture at home to gain an advantage over their opponent Gor Mahia before the 2nd leg which is awaited between 4th – 6th December.

The winner between APR FC and Gor Mahia will face the winner between CR Belouizdad and El Nasr.

The two teams drawn to battle each other is considered an East African CAF Champions League derby, being they are widely popular among fans both locally and regionally in East African.

Other East African Teams
  • Vipers SC  Vs El Hilal
  • Simba SC Vs Plateau Utd
  • Le Messager Vs Young Buffaloes

The winner the CAF Champions League represents Africa at the FIFA Club World Cup.

Musongati to face Green Eagles in CAF Confederation Cup first Preliminary round.

By
Evode Munyeshuri
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Musongati to face Green Eagles in CAF Confederation Cup first Preliminary round.
Musongati FC. Photo from FFB

Burundi’s Musongati FC will face Zambia’s Green Eagles in the first Preliminary Round of the continental interclub contention, CAF Confederation Cup.

Following the African Football Confederation (CAF) draws produced for the interclub competitions on Monday, November 9 at its headquarters in Cairo, Burundian outfit Musongati FC confront Zambian’s Green Eagles in the first preliminary round.

Musongati FC who are on a cold streak in Burundi Primus League, 6 games with no win, will have to benefit from the first leg match scheduled in the last week of November at Ingoma Stadium of Gitega before travelling to Choma Independence Stadium in the south of Zambia capital, Lusaka. The winner of this match will face off the winner of the match between UFC Sokode of Togo and Cameroonian Cotton Sport.

Elsewhere, AS Kigali will face Botswana’s Orapa United and the winner of this match will have to travel to Kampala to face Uganda KCCA. Orapa will host AS Kigali in the first leg in Botswana.

Tanzania’s Namungo FC will host the first leg against South Sudan’s Al Rabita FC.

Arta Solar 7, the reigning Djibouti Cup winners that have signed Former Arsenal and Barcelona midfielder, Alex Song, will play against Arab Contractors. The latter is the only Egypt team to start in 1st preliminary round in both champions league and confederation cup.

The first leg matches of the first preliminary round will be held from 27 to 29 November, while the second leg will be on 4-6 December.

2020/2021 CAF Confederation Cup Draw Results:

 

Mbarara City FC announce squad for 2020/2021 engagements

By
Kenneth Lwanga
-
Mbarara City FC announce squad for 2020/2021 engagements
Mbarara City | Courtesy Photo

Mbarara City FC also known as the Ankole Lions have announced their official squad numbers for upcoming 2020/2021 season.

Uganda football top tier league side Mbarara City FC led by head coach Brian Ssenyonda has confirmed his squad numbers to content to the 2020/2021 league title.

Recent new signed Elungat Marting and Mutanda Bashir opted for shirt number 23 and 10 respectively while Edwok Ronald and Kalungi Godfrey caught numbers 4 and 21.

Defenders Karim Ramadan and Daglas Oyirowth will dress numbers 2 and 3.

Jude Ssemugabi switched from number 11 in the 20219/2020 campaign to the famous number 9 for the new season. Bamba Soulymane also changes from shirt number 4 to 5 while Huud Salim who wore number 27 last season, will benefit to take number 11 released by Ssemugabi.

U-20 National team star, Ivan Eyam will keep number 7 while young lad Onyai Derrick, retained his shirt number 29. Meanwhile, Wol Makueth got back to his traditional shirt number 14. Number 21 left by outgoing Ibrahim Orit will be taken by Kalungi.

Mbarara City FC finished 7th with 36 points after 25 games when the league was halted due to COVID-19.

2020/21 Mbarara City Fc squad numbers:

1. Ssekeba Mohammad
2. Karim Ramathan
3. Oryiwoth Daglas
4. Edwok Ronald
5. Bamba Soulymane
6. Aheebwa Jasper
7. Eyam Ivan
8. Swalik Bebe Ssegujja
9. Jude Ssemugabi
10. Mutanda Bashir
11. Salim Huud
12. Pistis Barenge
13. Othieno Steven
14. Wol Makueth
15. Ronald Otti
16. Mukundane Hilary
17. Okwalinga Solomon
18. Adriko John
19. Zaidi Byekwaso
20. AbdulKarim Aziz
21. Kalungi Godfrey
22. Opio Jackson
23. Elungat Martin
24. Musindo Siraj
26. Magandaazi Ibrahim
29. Onyai Derrick

The Ankole Lions also released Samari Farouk who joined Kigezi Home Boyz FC.

2021 Afrobasket Qualifiers: Algeria withdraws from the first window.

By
Evode Munyeshuri
-

In July this year, Rabah Bouarifi, President of the Algerian Basketball Federation (FABB) declared the season null and void due to the novel Coronavirus pandemic. Based on this, he says the team is not ready to compete, and added that they cannot go to Rwanda with a decimated team and he insisted that he is against the act of participating just to participate.

Further more, Algerian head coach Faid Bilal and 4 players tested positive for COVID-19 and in addition to that it’s not easy for foreign based players to reach the country due to airspace restrictions.

This comes after national team head coach Faid Bilal had expressed concern over the team’s preparations, citing delays in starting training and adding that basketball games in the country have been stopped for more than seven months.

The Algeria Basketball National team is made up of a large number of domestic players and a small number of binationals who are based in France. Algeria had to get rid of Cape Verde in the pre-qualifiers in January before they were drawn with Nigeria, Mali and Rwanda in Group D.

The decision from the Africa basketball governing body on Group D is yet to be made whether the teams will be three or one more team will be added to complete the group. If they would have to give another wild card, there is no doubt that South Sudan would have a chance as they finished second behind Cape Verde in the recent Closing tournament held in Cameroon last month where they were looking for a team to complete Group E.

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