Rwanda’s fast-rising cyclists Joseph Areruya and Samuel Mugisha have signed one-year contract extensions each with South African-based Continental Team, Dimension Data for Qhubeka.
The duo joined the two-time Tour du Rwanda winning team (2016 and 2017) after impressing during last year’s edition to replace their compatriot Bonaventure Uwizeyimana, and the two-time Tour du Rwanda champion Valens Ndayisenga.
Areruya, winner of this year’s Tour du Rwanda, and Mugisha’s contracts were supposed to expire in January but Dimension Data for Qhubeka decided to remain with them for another year.
Twenty-one-year-old Areruya won the eight-day, seven-stage Tour du Rwanda 2017 edition that covered 819 kilometres, having used a total of 20 hours, 21 minutes and 29 seconds.
By win this year’s edition, he became the third Rwandan to win Tour du Rwanda after Valens Ndayisenga (2014 and 2016) and Jean Bosco Nsengimana, who won it in 2015.
It was reported that Israel Cycling Academy and SkyDive Dubai Pro Cycling Team wanted to sign Areruya but he opted to remain in South Africa.
Nineteen-year-old Mugisha, who shot to fame at the 2016 edition of Tour du Rwanda following his victory in the King of the Mountains race category, finished in 24th place overall this year.
In October, Mugisha won the longest race of the 2017 Rwanda Cycling Cup: 180-kilometres from Nyanza to Rubavu.
Dimension Data for Qhubeka also retained Stefan DE Bod and Kent Main (both South Africans) but released Eritrean Eyob Mektel, who turned 24.
Group A: Kenya, Libya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Zanzibar Group B: Uganda, Zimbabwe, Burundi, Ethiopia, South Sudan
Rwanda has been handed a daunting task against hosts Kenya in Group A of the 2017 CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup due to be staged in Nairobi from December 3 to 17. Amavubi will face the hosts in the opening match.
The draw held Thursday in Nairobi, saw Rwanda placed in Group A, which also has Tanzania, Zanzibar and guest side Libya, who are preparing for the 2018 CHAN finals in Morocco, where Amavubi will also be.
Defending champions, Uganda have been placed in a relatively easy Group B alongside Burundi, South Sudan, Ethiopia and another guest nation, Zimbabwe. Meanwhile, Sudan, Eritrea and Djibouti are the regional nations that will not take part in this year’s edition.
After the opening day, Rwanda will next face Zanzibar on Dec. 5; take on Libya on December 7 before concluding the group stage action with a date against Tanzania on December 9.
Rwanda will use the regional tournament as part of their preparations for next year’s Africa Nations Championship, which will run from January 12 through February 4.
The ten-team regional tournament will be played in Kisumu (Moi Stadium), Kakamega (Bukungu) and Nakuru (Afraha) with Nairobi (Kasarani Stadium) and Machakos (Kenyatta Stadium) acting as stand-by venues.
Antoine Hey’s team will start preparations for the regional tournament on November 26.
In 2015, Rwanda finished second after losing 0-1 to champions Uganda in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Last year, CECAFA failed to stage its two main annual competitions—the Senior Challenge Cup and Kagame Club Championship.
Meanwhile, Kagame Club Championship will be held in April 2018, in Djibouti, according to the CECAFA Secretary General, Nicolas Musonye.
Rwanda will host the CECAFA Women’s Challenge Cup next year, while Burundi will organize the CECAFA U-17 tournament.
Last year’s edition of the CECAFA Women’s Challenge Cup was held in Uganda but Rwanda failed to go past the group stage, losing to Tanzania and Ethiopia respectively.
Challenge Cup 2017 Cecafa Fixtures
Dec. 3: Group A Libya vs Tanzania Kenya vs Rwanda
Dec. 4: Group B Burundi vs Ethiopia Uganda vs Zimbabwe
Dec. 5: Group A Zanzibar vs Rwanda Kenya vs Libya
Dec. 6: Group B South Sudan vs Zimbabwe Uganda vs Burundi
Dec. 7 Tanzania vs Zanzibar Rwanda vs Libya
Dec. 8: Group B South Sudan vs Ethiopia Zimbabwe vs Burundi
Dec. 9: Group A Rwanda vs Tanzania Kenya vs Zanzibar
Dec. 10: Group B South Sudan vs Burundi Ethiopia vs Uganda
Dec. 11: Group A Libya vs Zanzibar Kenya vs Tanzania
Dec. 12: Group B Uganda vs South Sudan Zimbabwe vs Ethiopia
Dec. 13: Rest Day
Dec. 14: 1st Semi-final Winner A vs Runners-up B
Dec. 15: 2nd Semi-final Winner B vs Runners-up A Dec. 16: Rest Day
General Classification 1. Joseph Areruya (Dimension Data) 20:21:29 2. Eyob Metkel (Dimension Data) 0:28 3. Suleiman Kangangi (Bike Aid) 1:29 4. Jean Bosco Nsengimana (Team Rwanda) 2:10 5. Patrick Byukusenge (Team Rwanda) 3:08 6. Valens Ndayisenga (Tirol Cycling Team) 3:19
Rwandans have proved to be the masters of their own race after Joseph Areruya claimed this year’s Tour du Rwanda to become the third Rwandan to win the annual UCI Africa Tour race in four years.
Joseph Areruya holds the National Flag after winning Tour du Rwanda 2017.
The 21-year old, riding for South Africa-based UCI Continental Team Dimension Data for Qhubeka, won the 9th edition of Tour du Rwanda, which ended Sunday with the seventh and final stage climaxing at Amahoro National Stadium.
Minister for Sports and Culture Julienne Uwacu and FERWACY boss stands with the top three, Areruya, Ayob and Kangangi. S. Ngendahimana
The Rwamagana native was mostly with the highly coveted yellow jersey since throughout the race.
Prime Minister Eduard Ngirente congratulates the winner of Tour du Rwanda 2017 Areruya Joseph ( Sam Ngendahimana)
Despite finishing 11th in the final stage, Kigali-Kigali (120km), which was won by compatriot and outgoing champion Valens Ndayisenga (Tirol Cycling Team), the day belonged to Areruya, who used a total of 20 hour, 21 minutes and 29 seconds for the entire eight-day, seven-stage race that covered 819 kilometres.
Prime Minister Eduard Ngirente gives his remarks during the closing event of Tour du Rwanda 2017 in Kigali Convention Center
Ndayisenga won the last stage after impressing in the last lap.
Sunday’s final stage, Kigali-Kigali covered a total distance of 120 km with some climbs.
Shortly after he was crowned the 2017 Tour du Rwanda champion, Areruya attributed his triumph to his Dimension Data teammates Rwandan Samuel Mugisha, Stefan DE Bod, Kent Main and Eyob Mektel.
Tour du Rwanda 2017 winner Joseph Areruya celebrates his victory yesterday. Sam Ngendahimana.
Eyob finished second overall, 28 seconds behind Areruya, while Ndayisenga came in 6th position in general classification, 3 minutes and 19 seconds behind the winner.
“It is a great honour for me, my country and my team (Dimension Data). I am very happy for my performance and my team. I cannot express my gratitude enough,” a visibly excited Areruya said in front of the adoring Rwandan fans at Amahoro National Stadium.
Prime Minister Eduard Ngirente in a group photo with all riders of Tour du Rwanda 2017
Areruya made his Tour du Rwanda debut in 2015, as a teenage rider for Team Rwanda, a year in which Jean Bosco Nsengimana became the second Rwandan to win the race since it became a UCI-Africa Tour, category 2.2 road race in 2009. Ndayisenga had won it the previous year.
Some of Rwandan riders who ride in Tour du Rwanda during the event
In the final stage yesterday, Dimension Data rider Mugisha led the peloton tackling in the first three laps to help his teammate Areruya in attacking and holding onto the yellow jersey.
Sunday’s final stage, Kigali-Kigali covering 120 km with some climbs
Areruya, a former Les Amis Sportifs de Rwamagana rider, further noted: “I really enjoyed the race and to win at home is always sweet, this opens yet another chapter in my career.”
Areruya also won the best Africa and best Rwanda rider awards.
Best combative rider was Van Engren of Germany-based UCI Continental Team Bike Aid, while Nathaniel Barnham of Eritrea National Team was named the best climber with 48 points.
Stage 7 winner Valens Ndayisenga enjoys his victory. It was the first stage win for the defending champion in this year’s edition.
Kenyan Suleiman Kangangi of Team Bike Aid finished in third place in the General Classification with 20 hours, 23 minutes and 58 seconds, while Team Rwanda captain Nsengimana came in fourth place (20:23:39).
Team Rwanda riders Patrick Byukusenge and Jean Claude Uwizeye during the final stage on Sunday.
Patrick Byukusenge (Team Rwanda) completed the top five with 20 hours, 24 minutes and 37 seconds.
Team Rwanda riders share a smile with a cycling spectator who gives them a gift
Out of the 73 riders that had started the race on November 12, only 57 completed the race.
The final stage of Tour du Rwanda 2017 covers 120km
Meanwhile, by winning the final stage, Ndayisenga equaled the record of the greatest number of stage victories on the Tour of Rwanda (5) held since Saturday by Metkel Eyob.
The final stage of Tour du Rwanda on Sunday, crossed different parts of Gasaba district in the City of Kigali.
This year’s edition attracted 15 teams including from five National teams, five UCI Continental teams and five clubs. The national teams were Mauritius, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Algeria and hosts Rwanda.
The peloton did almost eight laps before some strong attacks that lead Valens Ndayisenga to win the final stage on Sunday.
The UCI Continental teams were: Dimension Data for Qhubeka (South-Africa), Tirol Cycling Team (Austria), Team Illuminate (USA), Bike Aid (Germany), and Dukla Banska Bystrica (Slovakia).
Tour du Rwanda 2016 best climber Samuel Mugisha of Team Dimension Data for Qhubeka leads the peloton at Kisimenti.
Regional or Club teams were; Club Benediction de Rubavu (Rwanda), Club Les Amis Sportifs de Rwamagana (Rwanda), Team Lowestrates.com (Canada), Team Haute-Savoie / Auvergne Rhône-Alpes (France) and Team Kenya Riders Safaricom (Kenya).
Tour du Rwanda 2017 winner Areruya signs autographs for his young fans at Amahoro National Stadium. S. Ngendahimana
Group A (Casablanca): Morocco, Guinea, Sudan, Mauritania Group B (Marrakech): Ivory Coast, Zambia, Uganda, Namibia Group C (Tangier): Libya, Nigeria, Rwanda, Equatorial Guinea Group D (Agadir): Angola, Cameroon, Congo, Burkina Faso
Rwanda will play against Nigeria, Libya and Equatorial Guinea in Group C at the 2018 African Nations Championships (CHAN) finals tournament.
The biennial football championship reserved for player featuring in their respective domestic leagues will take place from January 13 – February 4 in Morocco. The matches of Group C will be played in Tangier.
The Draw Ceremony held at the Hotel Sofitel Rabat on Friday evening. Hosts Morocco, Guinea, Sudan and Mauritania are in Group A. The Atlas Lions will take on Mauritania in the opening match of the competition at the Mohamed V Stadium in Casablanca on Jan. 13.
Ivory Coast, who hosts of the inaugural edition of the competition in 2009, head Group B that also includes Zambia, Uganda and Namibia. Group D has 2011 runners-up Angola, Cameroon, Congo and Burkina Faso.
Amavubi captain Eric ‘Bakame’ Ndayishimiye believes Rwanda side is capable of getting out of group stage.
“At the last edition, we were eliminated in the quarter-finals by DR Congo, who went on to win the tournament but next year we need to improve. Every tournament has uniqueness but our target will be to go match per match,” Ndayishimiye told Sunday Sport.
The Rayon Sports shot-stopper admitted that, “It is a big tournament for us as players. We have drawn with strong and experienced like Nigeria and Libya but we are upbeat for the games and we will give our best to get out of group.”
Rwanda were the last qualifier after eliminating Ethiopia 3-2 on aggregate, having won the first leg in Addis Ababa before drawing goalless in the second leg in Kigali.
Super Eagles will be favourites to top the group but Ndayishimiye noted that Amavubi players know what they have to do if the team is get points from “winnable” games against Libya and Equatorial Guinea.
“They are all good teams that have qualified for the finals but we need to show that Rwanda is a big team too that can beat anyone. Yes, Nigeria are the favourites in our group but I believe we can get results against Libya and Guinea,” he noted.
Rwanda’s previous appearance at the biennial championship was in 2011 in Sudan and 2016 as hosts.
Katauti, right, is said to have played a full 90 minutes in a Rayon Sports training match on Tuesday, only hours before his sudden death. / Internet photo
Rayon Sports players have paid glowing tribute to their late former assistant coach Hamadi ‘Katauti’ Ndikumana, who passed away Tuesday night at his home in Nyakabanda and was laid to rest on Wednesday.
The 39-year old former Rayon Sports and Amavubi captain passed away on the same night as another ex-Rwanda international Bonaventure ‘Gangi’ Hategekimana.
While Gangi had spent a couple of months in hospital after he had initially been discharged, Katauti’s death came as a complete shock as he had participated in Rayon’s training session earlier in the day (Tuesday) – only hours before his sudden death.
Rayon Sports captain Eric ‘Bakame’ Ndayishimiye disclosed how the team trained normally on Tuesday afternoon with assistant coach Katauti taking part in a training match over 90 minutes before he returned home like everyone else.
“He took charge of training and even took part (in training match), it was the first time he had played with us for 90 minutes and when I heard news that he had died, at first I didn’t believe it until I heard from different people. He was a nice person, we’ll miss him,” Bakame told Times Sport.
He added, “His death really caught all us by surprise, which is why I first questioned the news when I first heard it and then I learnt that Gangi had also passed away that same night, it’s really sad candidiasis for not only Rwandan football but the sports fraternity.”
Midfielder Yannick Mukunzi said the club and the country had lost an important man, who still had so much to contribute to advance Rwandan football due to his vast experience playing in Europe.
“It is hard to understand, because Katauti, by the time he passed away, he did not have any health complications, at least according to what the (Rayon Sports club) doctor told us” the Rwandan interatonal noted.
He further stated that, “I have known him as a good man, simple in society, and yes, we will always remember him. He made working with him in training enjoyable because he was hands-on and when you didn’t understand his message, he would demonstrate it practically.”
Central defender Faustin Usengimana noted, “My heart is broken because Katauti was not only my coach but he my friend and role model; he inspired me to play in this position.”
AS Kigali head coach, Eric Nshimiyimana, who says he knew both Katauti and Gangi quite well but especially the former from a young age said, “Both were my friends especially Katauti and we shall miss them, but that is God’s plan, today its them, tomorrow is someone else.
Jean Bosco Nsengimana celebrates on the podium after winning the prologue on the opening day of this year’s Tour du Rwanda on Sunday. Sam Ngendahimana.
Monday
Stage 1: Kigali- Huye (120.3km)
Sunday
Prologue: Top five Jean Bosco Nsengimana (Team Rwanda) 03’46’’06 Valens Ndayisenga (Tirol Cycling Team) 03’48”77’ De Bod Stefan (Dimension Data for Qhub) 03’52”87 Joseph Areruya (Dimension Data For Qhub) 03’54’’44 Suleima Kangangi (Bike Aid) 03’55’’93
RDB CEO Clare Akamanzi uplauds the winner of prologue Jean Bosco Nsengimana as SKOL boss looks on during the ongoing Tour du Rwanda 2017
Jean Bosco Nsengimana gave team Rwanda a good start after winning the Prologue on Sunday to boost his chances of claiming Tour du Rwanda for a second time after the 2015 triumph.
Dimension Data rider Samuel Mugisha finishes the prologue in the 8th position (Samuel Mugisha)
The Team Rwanda rider won the 3.5km Prologue (Amahoro National Stadium-Kimironko-Amahoro National Stadium) in a new course record of 3 minutes, 46 seconds and 06 seconds.
The 24-year-old goes into stage one, Kigali-Huye on Monday, which covers a total distance of 120.3km, wearing the leader’s yellow jersey.
“It is good start for us (Team Rwanda), but we know that we need to do much better in the next seven days, today (Sunday) I did my best to wear the yellow jersey and tomorrow will be even better because I will be having the support of my teammates,” Nsengimana said after winning day one.
Jean Bosco Nsengimana celebrates his victory
Team Rwanda, is one of the three teams representing Rwanda-the others are Benediction Club de Rubavu and Amis Sportifs de Rwamagana.
Defending champion Valens Ndayisenga, riding for Austria-based UCI Tirol Cycling Team, finished in second place in 3 minutes, 48 seconds and 77 microseconds, bettering his 2014 record of 3 minutes and 55 seconds.
Dimension Data for Qhubeka rider, De Bod Stefan came in third position after clocking 3 minutes, 52 seconds and 87 microseconds, while his teammate Joseph Areruya came fourth in 3’54”44 and Kenyan Suleiman Kangangi of Team Bike Aid (Germany) completed the top five in 3’55’’93.
Rwandan rider Areruya Joseph who rides for Dimension Data reaches the finish line in the 4th position (Sam Ngendahimana)
In total, the 2017 Tour du Rwanda will cover a distance of 819km, and for the second consecutive year, will reach in all the four provinces of the country and Kigali.
Many cycling supporters attend the opening ceremonies of Tour du Rwanda 2017
South African De Bod Stefan on the podium after finishing in third position
South African De Bod Stefan reaches the finish line in the third position (Sam Ngendahimana)
Team Rwanda cyclist Patrick Byukusenge crosses the line to finish seventh (Sam Ngendahimana)
Tirol cycling team rider Valens Ndayisenga finished in second position
Rwanda Football team players lift up head coach Antoine Hey after 0-0 draw at Kigali stadium yesterday (Sam Ngendahimana)
Sunday
Rwanda 0-0 Ethiopia (Agg. 3-2)
Rwanda has qualified for the 2018 African Nations Championships (CHAN) finals tournament on the expense of Ethiopia after both teams played out a goalless draw in the second leg of their Play-off qualifier on Sunday at Kigali Stadium.
Striker Abbedy Biramahire controls the ball to go past Ethiopian defenders at Kigali stadium (Sam Ngendahimana)
Amavubi booked their last available ticket thanks to their 3-2 first leg victory last week in Addis Ababa. The draw for the tournament is scheduled for November 17 in Morocco, while the finals will run from January 12 to February 4.
Amavubi fan celebrates the qualification to CHAN.
Ethiopia, who came into the match knowing that only a 2-0 victory would secure them qualification, dominated the proceedings for large spells but failed to beat goalkeeper Eric ‘Bakame’ Ndayishimiye.
Eric Rutanga in action, tries to tackle Mulualem Mesfen.
Adugna Enock, Mohamed Messud and Samson Tilahun missed chances for the visitors while Justin Mico, Abeddy Biramahire and Eric Rutanga failed to use their chances in the first half, for Amavubi.
For the first time, APR FC didn’t have a single player in the Amavubi starting eleven while reigning Azam Rwanda Premier League champions Rayon Sports had seven players in the starting list.
In the second half, Antoine Hey brought on APR midfielder Muhadjir Hakizimana for Rayon Sports’ Djaber Manishimwe while Maxime Sekamana replaced the ineffective Police FC forward Abeddy Biramahire.
National team head Coach Hey gives instructions to his players during the match.
In the first leg, Abubakher Sanni and Aschalew Girma netted for Ethiopia while Eric Rutanga, Hakizimana and Biramahire scored for Rwanda.
The away victory gave Rwanda qualification for the third time, to the finals of Africa’s second biggest international competition, which is reserved for players, who feature in their respective domestic leagues.
Amavubi supporters in joint action will players celebrate the qualification to CHAN finals (Sam Ngendahimana)
Rwanda football team coaching staff celebrate the match result
Rwandan attacking midfielder Muhadjili Hakizimana vies for the ball with Abebaw Butako during the match
Yannick Mukunzi tries to go past Ethipian defender Henok Adugna during 0-0 draw at Kigali stadium (Sam Ngendahimana
Women sports leaders, who attended the five-day training course in Sports Administration, pose with their certificates. Courtesy
Sixty-two officials from different sports federations have benefited from the sports management and administration course, which concluded on Saturday at Amahoro National Stadium.
The five-day course was conducted by Tharcisse Harerimana, an expert in the Rwanda National Olympic and Sports Committee (RNOSC) and Florent Habyarimana, who is in charge of talent detection at the Ministry of Sports and Culture.
The course had three categories; the first focused on Athletics Federation and the Rwanda School Sports Federation, who were trained in April, the second category included officials of different local sports federations, in July, while the third category that was trained last week, had women leaders in Sports.
RNOSC Secretary General, Dominique Bizimana said, “This training has come to resolve problems in Sports Administration and after this training we hope to get a good result because we now have the right people in the right positions.”
Isabelle Nizeyimana, one of the trainees confessed that, “Before attending this training, I didn’t understand Sports Management, but now I know and it’s my responsibility to contribute in that field.”
“In the past, women never used to get involved in the sports activities but now we are engaged in the sports and we are capable of taking up leadership positions,” she noted.
Meanwhile, Eugene Nzabanterura, an official from RNOSC pointed out that the training was a good opportunity for national sports federations to learn how to overcome the multifaceted challenges they face on day to day basis.
Kenyans Changawa Mzai and his sister Shufaa Changawa celebrate the victory after winning Rwanda Tennis Open on Saturday (All photos by Sam Ngendahimana)
Kenya’s Ismael Changawa Mzai and Shufaa Changawa dominated this year’s Rwanda Tennis Open, winning the Men and Women’s Singles titles on Saturday at Amahoro National Stadium courts.
The Mombasa natives defeated Ugandan Duncan Mugabe and Burundian Aisha Niyonkuru respectively in the final.
In the men’s title match, Changawa Nzai beat Mugabe in straight sets 6-2, 7-5 for a fourth consecutive victory against the 26-year-old Ugandan top seed. His elder sister Shufaa overcame Niyonkuru in three sets 2-6, 6-2, 7-5.
“It is an honour to be in Rwanda and compete with great players. I came here to win and I am thankful that I won the tournament and to make it even more satisfying is that my sister won the women’s title. Our parents are celebrating now,” Ismael Changawa said.
He noted that, “Our aim is to keep developing and become better players not only in our region but across Africa.”
Kenyan Tennis player Changawa Mzai captured in action during the toughest game against Ugandan Duncan Mugabe at Amahoro Stadium on Saturday.
In the women’s category, Shufaa lost the first set 6-2 before recovering to win the second 6-2 and then the third.
“Last year, I lost in the final but today I wanted to show that I am capable of beating a very good player like Aisha. To come from a set down and win the title and my brother winning the men’s tournament is just amazing. I am now seriously focusing on my dream,” Shufaa said.
Shufaa Changawa, 23, and Ismael Changawa, 20, walked away with US$1000 each in cash prizes.
In the the Women’s Wheelchair Singles’ final, Rehema Saidi Selememani of Tanzania beat Kenyan Jane Ndenga 7-6(4), 1-6, 7-6(1),while the Men’s title was claimed by Novatus Emmanuel Temba (Tanzania) after he defeated Collins Omondi (Kenya) 7-5, 4-6 and 10-4.
The U18 Boys Singles title was won by 17-year old Bertin Karenzi, who defated 13-years old Joseph Cyiza 6-3, 6-0.
The 2017 Rwanda Open attracted 143 players from Burundi, Kenya, Uganda, Belgium, Italy, Tanzania, Sweden, Nepal, DR Congo and the hosts Rwanda.
Kenyans Changawa Mzai and his sister Shufaa Changawa hold the trophies after winning Rwanda Tennis Open on Saturday (Sam Ngendahimana)
Ugandan player Duncan Mugabe lost the final against Kenyan Changawi Mzai on Saturday.
Charlotte Ndayisenga and Denyse Mutatsimpundu pose on the podium with their gold medals and the Rwandan flag. (Courtesy)
Sunday
Final
Rwanda 2-0 Nigeria
Semi-finals
Rwanda 2-0 Seychelles
Nigeria 2-0 Mauritius
Rwanda women’s beach volleyball team are the champions of Africa after beating Nigeria in the gold medal match at the African Championships that concluded on Sunday in Free Town, Serra Leone to qualify for 2018 Commonwealth Games.
Charlotte Ndayisenga and Denyse Mutatsimpundu, who won gold at the U20 level in 2012, went a step further by claiming the senior continental title after beating the 2015 All African Games gold medalists in straight sets 2-0.
Rwanda will be Africa’s sole representative at next April’s Commonwealth Games in Australia.
In the round robin system matches played on Friday, Rwanda beat hosts Sierra Leone 2-0 in opening game and went on to defeat Seychelles 2-0, Mauritius 2-0 before overcoming Nigeria 2-0 on Saturday.
In the semi-finals, Rwanda beat Seychelles 2-0 while Nigeria conquered Seychelles 2-0—the two teams advances to the title match, which Rwanda won 2-0.
Mutatsimpundu and Nzayisenga won gold medal at the 2017 CAVB Beach Volleyball Cup in Maputo, Mozambique in May, which qualified them to the World Championships that was staged in Vienna, Austria in August where they unfortunately lost all their games.
In 2012, the duo, playing at the junior level, won gold at the Africa Championships in Togo but failed to participate in the World Championships in Canada after the hosts denied the Rwandan team entry visas.
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