The weekend was packed with action across football, volleyball, handball and basketball, with Rwandan teams competing in continental club competitions, the new BK Pro League season getting underway and UR Kigali being crowned men’s second-division basketball champions.
The weekend also brought the death of former Rwanda Football Federation (FERWAFA) Secretary General Kalisa Jules Cesar, while Rwanda’s women’s volleyball team finished fourth at the African Championship in Nairobi.
Football: Former FERWAFA secretary general Kalisa Jules Cesar dies
Kalisa Jules Cesar, a former Secretary General of the Rwanda Football Federation (FERWAFA), has died after an illness.
His family confirmed that he passed away after travelling to India for medical treatment. The nature of his illness was not disclosed.
Kalisa served as FERWAFA Secretary General from 2006 to 2011, having joined the federation in 1999.
During his 12 years at FERWAFA, he was part of a period of significant development in Rwandan football.
Kalisa, who was also a keen tennis player, was the younger brother of Kalisa Adolphe “Camarade”, who also served as FERWAFA Secretary General.
Rayon Sports and APR FC begin African campaigns
Rayon Sports and APR FC began their respective CAF club competition campaigns with first-leg matches away from home.
Rayon Sports travelled to Cameroon to face Panthère Sportive du Ndé FC at Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium. The match ended 1-1, with the hosts taking the lead through Valentin Beo Batto in the 13th minute before Kameni Herman Junior equalised for Rayon Sports in the 78th.
The return leg will be played at Amahoro Stadium.
APR FC, meanwhile, suffered a 1-0 defeat to FC Les Aigles du Congo of the Democratic Republic of Congo at Frédéric Kibasa Maliba Stadium in Lubumbashi.
The match was played behind closed doors, with Soze Zemanga scoring the only goal in the 44th minute.
APR FC will host the Congolese side at Amahoro Stadium in the return leg.
Both Rwandan clubs returned to Kigali after their opening fixtures and will now step up preparations for the decisive second legs.
Several other CAF fixtures were also hosted in Rwanda after Sudanese clubs opted to play their home matches in the country.
Al-Merrikh, who will also compete in the BK Pro League, defeated Zambia’s Power Dynamos 1-0 at Amahoro Stadium in the CAF Champions League.
In the CAF Confederation Cup, Al Ahli Wad Madani drew 2-2 with Kenya’s Tusker FC at Kigali Pelé Stadium, while Hilal Alsahil defeated Ethiopia’s Welwalo Adigrat University FC 2-1 at the same venue.
Al Hilal SC Omdurman also began its campaign away from home, defeating Burundi’s Aigle Noir 2-0.
BK Pro League gets underway
The 2026/27 BK Pro League season kicked off with the opening round of fixtures.
Amagaju FC made a strong start with a 2-0 victory over newly promoted Etoile de l’Est, with goalkeeper Nicholas Ssebwato among the scorers.
Etincelles FC and Sunrise FC played out a goalless draw, while Gorilla FC defeated Kiyovu Sports 1-0.
Mukura VS&L continued the opening round with a 2-0 victory over Gasogi United, while Marine FC beat Kigali FC 2-0.
Police FC were scheduled to host Gicumbi FC, while fixtures involving APR FC, Rayon Sports and Bugesera FC were postponed because of their participation in continental competitions.
The second round of the league is scheduled to begin later this week.
Rwanda finish fourth at African Women’s Volleyball Championship
Rwanda finished fourth at the African Women’s Volleyball Championship in Nairobi after reaching the semi-finals.
The national team lost 3-0 to Egypt in the semi-finals before suffering another straight-set defeat to Cameroon in the third-place playoff.
Egypt went on to win the championship after beating hosts Kenya 3-0 in the final.
The top three teams secured qualification for the 2027 FIVB Women’s Volleyball World Championship, while Egypt also secured a place at the 2028 Olympic Games.
Rwanda’s fourth-place finish marked the second consecutive edition in which the team has ended the tournament in fourth place, following the same result in 2023.
Rwanda U-20 handball team continue African Championship campaign
Rwanda’s men’s Under-20 handball team are competing at the African Championship in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.
Rwanda are in Group A alongside Guinea, Côte d’Ivoire and Zimbabwe.
They opened their campaign with a 36-20 defeat to Guinea before bouncing back with a 30-25 victory over hosts Côte d’Ivoire.
Rwanda will face Zimbabwe in their final group match.
The tournament features 16 teams divided into four groups.
UR Kigali crowned second-division basketball champions
UR Kigali were crowned men’s second-division basketball champions after completing a 3-0 series sweep over Keplerian.
Leading 2-0 heading into Game 3 at Petit Stade, UR Kigali needed one more victory to seal the best-of-five final.
They delivered with an 82-74 victory, securing the championship and promotion to the first division.
Intare claimed third place after defeating Kicukiro Buckets 2-0 in their best-of-three playoff.
UR Kigali received the championship trophy, gold medals and Rwf3 million. Keplerian received silver medals and Rwf2 million, while Intare took home bronze medals and Rwf1 million.
CECAFA Schools Football Championship qualifiers conclude
The CECAFA Schools Football Championship qualifiers for the CAF African Schools Football Championship concluded in Kigali.
In the boys’ competition, Rwanda lost 1-0 to Uganda in the final.
In the girls’ competition, Rwanda finished fourth after losing 2-0 to Uganda in the third-place playoff.
Tanzania won the girls’ title after beating Kenya 3-0 in the final.
The winners in each category received trophies, gold medals and $100,000, while the runners-up received $75,000 and the third-placed teams $50,000.
Rwandan school teams also met former France and Manchester United defender Patrice Evra, who was in the country for the Kwita Izina gorilla-naming ceremony in Musanze’s Kinigi area.
