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Before his upcoming participation in the 2024 NBA summer league, the Rwandan basketball coach Igor Mugisha has shared some of the his expectations he has for the showpiece that will take place from July 12th – 22nd in Las Vegas, USA.
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| Igor Mugisha (left) ©️ Igihe |
Mugisha’s role will be closely to
collaborating coaching staff to develop young players, especially rookies and
second-year players, helping them adjust to the NBA’s pace and enhance their understanding
of the game.
He will be on defensive principles,
including transition defence, rim protection, ball pressure, and rebounding.
Mugisha began his basketball
journey as a player for the APR Basketball Club, where he played from 2007 to
2014 and contributed to the team’s multiple championship victories, including
winning the FERWABA League, Gisembe Memorial, Heroes Tournament, Kenyatta Day
Tournament, and Zone V Club Championships.
His coaching career has taken him
to APR Basketball Club as a deputy coach as well as the national basketball
team.
Rwandan international Goalie Fiacre Ntwari is set for Kaizer Chiefs medical as Kameelrivier based side TS Galaxy agrred to sell him at an alleged fee of $300,000.
The Chiefs that have been for a
long time searching for a frisky shot stopper, settled for Ntwari as he was
among the best goalkeepers in the South African DSTV Premier League for the
2023/24 season although he only played in the second round and in the cup
games.
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| Ntwari Fiacre in one of TS Galaxy's games ©️ FAR Post |
He is expected to join his new
teammates in Istanbul, Turkey, early next week. With his agility, reflexes and
ball-playing ability, Ntwari could become a valuable asset for Amakhosi.
Ntwari who joined TS Galaxy in July
2023 featured in 32 matches across all competitions and conceded 29 goals with
13 clean sheets.
He becomes the second signing at
Chiefs, with Orlando Pirates left-back Bongani Sam making the switch to
Naturena.
Through the Mauritanian forward Mamadou Sy’s only goal, Rwandan champions APR FC secured a win over El – Merreikh Bentiu, advancing interests into the CECAFA Kagame Cup semi-finals.
In a match that begun at 2000hrs
CAT at the Chamazi Complex Stadium in Dar es Salaam, saw APR FC steadily
attacking with the South Sudan side solely defending. The 45 minutes concluded
with a 0-0 score despite the Rwandan army side continuous attacks.
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| APR's Niyomugabo dribbles past El- Merreikh player ©️ Umuseke |
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| Photo by ©️ Umuseke |
On the 77th minute APR
made one more substitution, with Victor Mbaoma leaving the pitch and Dauda
coming in to defend the goal scored.
APR’s Darko Navic tactics led to
harvest as his boys understood him, maintaining the lead to advance in the next
round of the tournament as the army side obtained 6 points in two games.
The Rwandan side will return on
Monday, 15th 1200hrs in clash with Uganda’s SC Villa as El- Merreikh
will play Singida Big Stars. APR is required to at least draw in the third
match to secure a place in the semi-finals while SC Villa is required to win.
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| President Kagame greets APR FC players before a friendly match against Police FC at the inauguration of Amahoro stadium ©️ New Times |
Rwandan Army side APR beat their rivals Police FC 1-0 on Monday, July 1 to win the Amahoro Stadium inauguration trophy with presence of Rwandan President, Paul Kagame and CAF president Patrice Motsepe.
The crunch tie, which poked Rwanda’s
2023/24 league champions against 2023 Peace Cup winners, took place as part of
the inauguration of the newly refurbished Amahoro Stadium before thousands of
spectators.
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| Moments during the APR - Police clash ©️ New Times |
"The
boys need credit because they worked hard to win this game. I am happy with the
way the players applied themselves on the field. The showed their character and
mentality of winning and they have done what I wanted, so I am very happy and I
am looking forward to seeing them to do more," the Serbian told the press in a
post-match interview.
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| Darko Novic, APR head coach ©️ New Times |
APR’s Gilbert Mugisha became the
first player to find the back of the net at the newly refurbished Amahoro
Stadium as his first half strike spared the army side to the victory at the
expense of Police FC’s Vincent Mashami’s charges and Novic was of full praise
for the winger, who he said could have better than he did.
“Gilbert
was fresh today and he showed he causes a lot of problems for the opposing
team. He could have scored two more goals in the second half,” he said.
Now, APR are to be turning their
concentration on the forthcoming CECAFA Kagame Cup 2024 that will take place in
Tanzania from July 6th to 22nd.
APR FC new manager Darko Novic will face his first test on Tuesday, July 9th as he looks to lead his men against emerging Tanzanian powerhouse Singida Big Stars in Group C opening match of the 2024 CECAFA Kagame Cup at the Kinondoni Municipal Council (KMC) Stadium.
The Tanzanians have been a threat
to APR over the years as they beat the Rwandan army side 2-1 in the same
competition on June 29th 2018. The same side, earlier this year on
January 1st came from behind to thrash the Rwandan champions 3-1 in
the Mapinduzi Cupin Zanzibar.
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| APR FC take on Singida Black Stars on Tuesday, July 9 ©️ Kigali Today |
Singida, on the other hand,
finished 11th in the Tanzanian Premier League for the 2023/24
season. The team recently employed former Simba coach Patrick Aussems as their
new head coach and he is eager to bring their fruitful years back.
The Rwandan Champions looks
formidable on paper with Singida starting favorites considering their recent
results against the Lions in the probable great game.
On Saturday 15th June 2024, Rwanda Defence Force’s football team APR, played a friendly match against Rayon Sport at the newly renovated Amahoro Stadium ending in a goalless draw.
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| Photo ©️ New Times |
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| Photo ©️ New Times |
Two minutes just after that, Elie
Kategaya twisted and turned Isaac Mitima but saw his final delivery lacking the
needed finish as it went off target.
Yenga again with a glaring chance
in the 11th minute to put the Bahead but he failed to connect the
ball into the net following a line cross from Elie Ganijuru with Pierre Ishimwe
already beaten.
Rayon skipper Kevin Muhire who
looked unplayable in midfield, missed the post by inches after creating space
for himself around the 18-yard box in the 20th minute.
APR decided to soak pressure as
Rayon did all the attacking. Coach Thierry Hitimana, who was on APR touchline,
brought on Ramadhan Niyibizi for Elie Kategeya in the 28th minute in an attempt
to add more bite to his attack.
Charles Bbaale crushed a ferocious
free kick into the post in the 28th minute before Muhire also had an effort
saved by APR shot stopper Pierre Ishimwe in the 35th minute.
The first half ended with the
scores at 0-0 though Rayon Sport had created numerous goal scoring chances.
The second half saw the Blues
continuing their dominance, pinning APR to their own half.
Bbaale saw his effort from Muhire’s
corner kick in the 53rd minute being cleared off the line by Yunnusu
Nshimiyimana who went down injured.
APR were mostly effective on the
wings where Gilbert Mugisha and Alain Kwitonda Bacca operated as they used the
pace and artistry of the duo to great effect.
Mugisha made way for Arsene
Tuyisenge in the 76th minute as the former Rayon Sports player faced his former
employers.
Rayon had the chance to break the
deadlock in the 77th minute after an extraordinary pass from Muhire but
Goalkeeper Ishimwe cleared before it reached Bbaale.
APR became very resolute at the
back with Nshimiyimana putting the brakes on Rayon defense with great piece of
defending.
Rayon Sports kept pressing but they
could not find the back of the net as the game ended goalless.
On Thursday, June 13th 2024, Mount Kigali University had the privilege to host the diplomat which marked an event of immense bilateral moments for both the embassy and university.
HE Hazza Mohammed Falah Kharsan
AlQahtani’s visit was in line with youth empowerment and recognition of
exceptional students’ projects, including the ‘Smart Home’ and ‘Building A
Greener Tomorrow’ projects. The projects showcased innovation and commitment to
sustainability for a greener living environment. The diplomat emphasized on how
the future belonged to the imaginative.
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H.E Hazza Alqahtani speaking to the students and staff of Mount Kigali University
“The future belongs to those who can imagine and execute it. It’s not something you wait for, but rather create.”
Mugisha Junior Fredy whose team’s
project stood out for its innovative approach to sustainable living as it
focused on smart technology and eco-friendly solutions. The projects calls for
a clear vision for a future where homes and buildings are not just living structures
but active contributors to a healthier planet.
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| Ambassador Alqahtani with MKUR staff and the winner of the best innovative project |
Beyond the awards, students had an opportunity to engage with HE Hazza Mohammed by asking questions bringing an exchange of ideas.
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DVC
ARA Dr Nkechi (left), and H.E Alqahtani awarding Uwase Novella (middle) as one
of the best performing students
“I would like to extend my sincere
gratitude to H.E. Hazza Mohammed for visiting us and hope this yields fruitful
discussions concerning youth empowerment.”
The visit called for strengthening the relationship between the university and embassy in promoting a collaborative environment that empowers the youth and incentivises innovation.
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