Category: Sports

Police FC has once again moved to lead the premier league after beating rivals Etencielles FC at Umuganda stadium in Rubavu district.

Laudit Mavugo yesterday scored one of the fastest goals of the season in the first minute. Etencielles FC tried to push harder but was repeatedly denied any chances of penetrating the Police FC Defence.

Police FC coach Goran Kuponivic said, “It was a difficult game but we are happy to have picked a win here. We have a massive game coming up (with APR FC) and so that’s where the focus of the team is.”

Meanwhile Police FC leads the league on the same points as Mukura but with goal advantage. Mukura drew 0-0 with Rayon Sport at Huye.

Kenyan’s that have been reigning as champions of the KCB golf tournament for the past few years will now play a vital role in the development of local professionals instead of focusing solely on the annual Kenya open tour golf or the PGA tour in South Africa.

The East African KCB golf tour with local professionals from Rwanda, Uganda, Tanzania, and Burundi this year will be reverting a Kenyan affair.

The reason for this is due to change of structure of KCB bank that wants to decentralize its activities so that instead of having direct funding from Nairobi, other branches across the borders will be encouraged to fund their own tours that will be known as KCB Advantage Banking Challenge.

KCB headquarters in Nairobi will be handling their own market because of the necessity to popularize local events before the tour returns to other countries in the East African region.

There have been interests in other activities so that branches in Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi and Uganda will come up with events and be able to fund them directly.

The events played in the courses of Kampala, Arusha, Kenya and Kigali where seasoned Kenyan players such as Jacob Okello, Ali Kimani and others played against local professionals such as Greg sprout, Simon Ngigi, and Uganda’s Deo Akope who won the KCB East African Tour in Arusha in 2010.

KCB’s director of marketing and communications Angela Mwirigi told reporters that golfers from Uganda and Tanzania will be invited for two events to be played at the Muthaiga Golf Club on February 29 to March 3 and the Grand Finale at Nyali Golf and Country Club on August 8 to 10.

The event will feature six events with a total prize fund of Ksh6.4 million from which Ksh2.6 million will go towards administration and prizes for amateurs.

The Nyanza and Nakuru events will have a prize tag of Ksh500, 000 each, while for the Muthaiga contest Ksh1 million will be set aside for the professionals.

The grand cash prize will be Ksh3 million. The objective for the championship to grow to a level where it will attract top regional and continental golfers to Kenya as a destination for golf tourism, each country will be hosting its event supported by local branches in order to enhance regional growth both in banking and the game.

There have been mixed reactions from professional golfers over KCB’s move, some players like Anil Shah Winner of the opener in Thika told reporters, he believes this is a good move for it will not only challenge players professionally but also improve standards in the game.

Zambia prepared for the African Cup of Nations final by laying flowers in honor of players who died in a plane crash.

After arriving in Gabon for Sunday’s Africa Cup of Nations final, they visited a beach where in 1993, a Zambian military plane was en route to a World Cup qualifier in Senegal carrying the players when it crashed offshore which killed all 30 people on board, killing 11 players including David Efford Chalba populary known as Efford.

Accompanied by coach Herve Renard,and former international Kalusha Bwalya who had avoided the tragedy, as he was in the Netherlands at the time and had travelled directly to Dakar from Europe, the players laid flowers and paid homage ahead of Zambia’s attempt to win their first Nations Cup trophy against Ivory Coast in Libreville.

Former African Footballer of the Year and president of the Football Association of Zambia, Bwalya was Chipolopolo supporters who can afford the air fare have chartered two planes for their team’s third appearance in a continental final. Bwalya was quoted saying “I’m sure the boys up there will be watching on Sunday”.

Some fans, however, who have found the cost of travel beyond their reach, will settle for watching the final from home while Zambian fans, meanwhile, and are preparing for an emotional occasion on Sunday.

Bwalya, the Zambian players, and Renard, walked along the beach near Libreville’s airport on Thursday, singing a Zambian funeral hymn, before coming to a stop at the nearest point on land to the crash and laying a flower for each person killed, at the water’s edge.

“On behalf of all of us involved in Zambian football, I say here that their dreams are our dreams, they are smiling down on heaven as we take part in this tournament in Gabon,” Bwalya added. “I pray that their souls may forever rest in peace and that God will give us the strength and the courage to fulfill our dreams and theirs.

The president spoke to Zambian captain Christopher Katongo on Wednesday, after his team had beaten fancied Ghana 1-0 in Bata to qualify for their first Nations Cup final appearance since since 1994. Zambia’s President Michael Sata has also urged his countrymen to win the title, as they prepare to take on pre-tournament favourites Ivory Coast.

Stephen Okechukwu Keshi who was early last year announced Super Eagles Coach by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has been warned not to underrate Rwanda’s Amavubi ahead of their first leg 2013 Nations Cup qualifier billed for Kigali on February 29.

According to the news agencies in Nigeria, the Former Togo and Mali National Coach, was warned by Coach of Gateway FC of Abeokuta and ex- Super Eagles midfielder, Toyin Ayinla.

“Keshi shouldn’t look at the Rwandese as a walkover. They might not be a name to reckon with but they possess the capacity to spoil his dreams if he doesn’t take them serious,” Ayinla pointed out.

“There is no small team again in football. Nobody gave Equatorial Guinea a chance to qualify for the quarter finals of the on-going Nations Cup but they did it in grand style.”

This implies that Keshi needs to select a team of players that are playing regularly for their various clubs sides and also ready to commit their all for the nation and not those who want to use the national team to get a new club.

“Notwithstanding, I expect him to select one or two of the home-based players to play the game as it will help bring stability in the team. I would not want him to select much them because they are just getting their strides back as players in the league.” He said.

“Keshi is not mediocre in coaching. His experience with two African sides is no joke so I want to believe that he knows what he is doing. For me, what he needs now is our total support but with constructive criticism in other for him to see what he might not be able to see in the tick of the action,” Ayinla said.

On whether the Eagles will qualify for the next stage of the series, the former Abiola Babes star said, “I am optimistic that we will qualify ahead of Rwanda if Keshi do the right thing,” Ayinla added.

ENDS

The new President of the Rwandan Football Association (FERWAFA) Celestin Ntagungira met the FIFA President Joseph Blatter on Monday and the two discussed the state of the game in the African country.

“We spoke about what FIFA has done for Rwanda through the Goal projects, artificial pitches, new offices and the training academy,” Ntagungira said.

He added, “We also discussed new projects, such as the possibility of building a sports complex where the national teams can train.”

According to the reports, Ntagungira’s main concern is youth football, however, as he explained in setting out his objectives: “We want to promote the youth game throughout the country, the aim being to spot players and organize competitions for youngsters.”

Acknowledging that there is much work to be done across all areas of Rwandan football, the nation’s new football chief had this to say: “I also want to work on the Association’s statutes, look at how the clubs are run, and set up a range of training programs for coaches, referees and women’s football.
We also need sponsors, which is another area we have to focus on, not to mention media coverage of our game.”

Returning to the core theme of youth football, Ntagungira pointed to Rwanda’s qualification for the FIFA U-17 World Cup Mexico 2011 as an example of what can be achieved: “It was a huge success for the country.

The backbone of that team came out of the academy set up by FIFA, and four or five of them have now broken into the national side. That’s why we are so appreciative of FIFA, and we want to continue in that direction.

“Using the development of youth football as a platform, we want to set up regional leagues, which didn’t exist before,” said Ntagungira.

“At this moment in time, football’s played mainly in the towns and cities, but we want to take it to every corner of the country. Our goal is to have as many people playing the game as possible and to help our national teams develop.”

Olivier Karekezi of Rwanda’s national team striker, has announced that the game with Zanzibar Heroes was the best as compared to Kirimanjaro Stars which they faced in the first match.

Karekezi while speaking to the press said that they faced a tough opposition from the Heroes who dominated the game most of the time.

“We underrated the team, but things went differently in the field, Heroes were best side compared to all the teams that we played, I congratulate the team for the development,” he pointed out.

Karekezi added that Heroes have good defenders, midfielders but lack sharp strikers, compared to the Kilimanjaro Stars, who have only good midfielders.

“I am sure the team would be better if they maintain the current status, they have so many young, tough and skillful players.”

In the finals of the 2011CECAFA that brought together Rwanda’s Amavubi and Uganda Cranes, and after 120 minutes game, Rwanda has been finally defeated today.

In the strong efforts revealed between two national teams; they equalized 2 by 2 during the 120 minutes game and finally Uganda scored 3 goals against Rwanda’s 2 goals in a penalty shootout.

Amavubi striker Olivier Karekezi made a blunder and scored a goal on his side plus Isaac Isindi shooting in the next goal for Uganda while on the Rwandan side Meddie Kagere rescued the team by scoring 2 goals before penalties.

Uganda National team the Cranes took the trophy and $30,000 while Rwanda scooped $20,000. Sudan pocketed $10,000.

Zanzibari President Dr. Ali Mohamed Shein handed the trophy to Cranes captain Andy Mwesigwa.

Veteran striker Olivier Karekezi has wooed his teammates by insisting that the current Amavubi team has what it takes to end their 12-year-wait for another Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup title.

Rwanda last won the tournament back in 1999 when they fielded two sides in the competition. However, the Amavubi captain, who has rediscovered his form under new coach Milutin Micho, does not see why the team cannot go all the way this year.

“We have a good side with a blend of youth and experience but more importantly, players desperate to impress in the tournament,” Karekezi said.

Last year, Rwanda was knocked out at the quarter-final stage by eventual champions Tanzania after a 1-0 defeat but Karekezi is convinced that the wasps can oust the reigning champions today in Group A’s opening fixture.

“For any tournament, the hosting team usually has a slight advantage over the rest but I think we can upset Tanzania,” Karekezi noted.

On the fifth day of the cycling competition dubbed ‘Tour of Rwanda 2011’ Smet Guy a Beligian citizen topped the Muhanga-Huye race.

Guy from FLANDERS AVIA club was followed by Ruvogera Obedi a Rwandan national from Akagera team.

The route surprised many due to results change when they saw the potential cyclists not emerging in their usual best positions.

People like Kiel Reijnen and Joseph Rosskopf who have been doing well in the previous routes were left far behind this time.

However much American Joseph Rosskopf who was the 9th in this in Muhanga-Huye route, is still the best and still wearing a yellow jersey because he leads in the accumulated points since the competition started.

Jean de Dieu Uwimana commonly known as Rafiki also from Akagera club emerged fourth in the Muhanga-Huye route contributing points to the team though it remains on the seventh position.

Abraham Ruhumuriza whose home area is Huye where ride destined did not quench his funs expectations but unfortunately emerging the 16th in race while his colleague Adrien Niyyonshuti topping six positions.

Muhanga-Huye route of 72.4km has been the first time cyclist raced the route following previous years which would be either Kigali-Huye or Karongi-Huye.

This has been the tour of Rwanda 2011’s fifth stage, the remaining sixth and seventh stage, cyclists will now race in a Huye -Karongi and Karongi- Kigali routes respectively.

Cycling competitors’ lineup
1. ROSSKOPF Joseph (Type 1 SANOFI)
2. REIJNEN Kiel (Type 1 SANOFI)
3. GIRDLESTONE Dylan (MTN QHUBEKA)
4. BYUKUSENGE Nathan (Karisimbi )
5. HATEGEKA Gasore (Karisimbi )
6. RUHUMURIZA Abraham (Karisimbi )
7. NIYONSHUTI Adrien (MTN QHUBEKA)
8. HABIYAMBERE Nicodem (Karisimbi )’
9. CHENEVIER Aléxis (RHONE ALPES)
10. KOGO Benjamin (Kenya)
11. RUDAHUNGA Emmanuel (Karisimbi )

Local cyclers have attained the third place in the ongoing Tour of Rwanda cycling competition that started from Kigali to Rubavu district yesterday.

Gasore Hategeka and Abraham Ruhumuriza were awarded among the top three.

It has been noticed that Rwandan cyclers are performing better in this year’s competition, among the hardworking riders include Emmanuel Rudahunga who in the recent Kigali-Rubavu competition was on the lead from Gakenke to Rubavu.

In this race, cycling became stiffer 30 Km towards the finishing line.

However,Rwandan Ruhumuriza and Gasore managed to stay in the lead.

Meanwhile most cyclists became more hardworking when they reached Mahoko town area know to be crucial circuit in the race closer to the finishing line.

American Joseph Rosskopf in this particular race won the first place within a time of 4:17:51 hs, he was followed by Rwandan Gasore and Ruhumuriza respectively.

Reijnen from team type 1, though he has performed better in previous races, came in fourth position in this particular competition. Niyoshuti finished in the sixth place.

Meanwhile, preliminary scores rank American Rosskopf on the first position with a cycling period of 7:39:33hrs. He is followed by Gasore 7:40:38hrs, thirdly is Ruhumuriza a minute late from Gasore, the fourth position is held by Kiel Reijnen (7:42:08hrs) finally Adrien Niyonshuti of MTN QHUBEKA (7:42:26hrs) holds the fifth position.

Today Wednesday Nov.23, competitors set off from Rubavu at around 9hr00 to for a total distance of 140.8 KM to Muhanga district.