Best sporting moments that shaped Rwanda in post-genocide era
After the horrific events of the 1994 Tutsi Genocide, which killed over a million people, Rwanda has undergone a revolutionary sports mechanism to promote peace, unity and reconciliation through sporting events.
During the country’s dark times in 1994, which lasted 100 days, people still haunted the anguish they suffered, but thanks to sport, they were able to overcome it and people now live in unity.
While the Rwandans celebrate the 29thth anniversary of the liberation, Times Sports takes a look at the top 10 sporting moments that brought smiles and joy back to Rwandans in the post genocide era.
Amavubis AFCON Qualification 2004
The day Rwanda Qualifying for AFCON 2004 in Tunisia is to date the best sporting moment Rwandans have ever experienced in the country’s history. This is a major achievement as the country reached the finals of Africa’s most prestigious football event for the first time, beating four-time African champions Ghana.
On 6 July 2003, just nine years after the wounds left by the 1994 Tutsi genocide had healed, Rwandans found a real joy in football again when second goalscorer Jimmy Gatete scored a memorable goal that gave Rwanda the first AFCON qualification ever.
Amahoro Stadium in Kigali was packed to capacity when the legendary striker scored a 49th With his one-minute header against Ghana, Amavubi traveled to Tunisia for AFCON in 2004.
All Rwandans celebrated the victory and qualification together.
Probably the greatest moment Rwandans have ever experienced
APR’s place in the semi-finals of the 2003 CAF Cup Winners Cup
Olivier Karekezi told in April 2022 Times Sports that when he joined APR in 1998 he didn’t want to play as he had seen some players whose parents were involved in the Tutsi genocide.
It wasn’t easy for someone like Karekezi, who lost his mother and two older brothers to the genocide, but he soon managed to move on. He and the other players teamed up and helped APR reach the semi-finals of the 2003 CAF Cup Winners Cup.
It brought joy to the whole country and the sense of unity and patriotism was tremendous considering APR is an army club.
Reaching the semi-finals remains the military team’s greatest achievement. The club have been chasing that goal, or even better, but it’s still a record that’s hard to beat.
Qualification for the U17 World Championship 2011 in Amavubi
Rwanda booked their ticket to the FIFA U17 World Cup 2011 in Mexico after beating Egypt 1-0 on 11 January 2011 with a winner from Faustin Usengimana at the Kigali Stadium in the second match of Group A.
The goal secured the then AFCON U17 host country one of four African spots reserved for the World Cup in Mexico and it remains the country’s only World Cup appearance at any level of football.
Rwanda reached the U17 AFCON final, but lost 2-1 to Burkina Faso. However, they were eliminated from the group stage of the World Cup, finishing bottom of Group C behind England, Uruguay and Canada.
Salima Mukansanga, first African woman to officiate a World Cup
Rwanda is a country that is committed to gender equality and committed to the advancement of women in various fields, and sport has not lagged behind either.
Mukansanga made history when she was appointed the fourth referee in France’s match against Australia during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, becoming the first African woman to officiate at the men’s World Cup.
It’s a moment she could never have imagined until she was on the final list of referees chosen by the Football Association to officiate at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, which is scheduled to take place in Qatar from November 21 to December 18 .
Mukansanga’s selection showed how far Rwanda has gone in supporting women to excel in their various professions, including sports.
More success lies ahead as she is expected to referee the FIFA Women’s World Cup, which takes place in Australia from July 20th to August 20th.
Eric Dusingizimana sets the Guinness World Record in cricket
In May 2016, Rwandan international cricketer Eric Dusingizimana set a new world record for longest batting time at the net.
The then-national cricket team captain spent 51 hours batting at the indoor Amahoro Stadium.
On 16 February 2017, Rwandan cricketer Cathia Uwamahoro also broke a Guinness World Record for longest cricket net session.
She then set a new value by hitting 26 hours. Also worth mentioning is Eric Dusingigizimana, who also batted for 51 hours to set a world record in May 2016.
The duo’s feat was not in vain, they helped raise funds for the construction of the Gahanga Cricket Stadium, which has hosted numerous international cricket tournaments after its completion. They have also inspired the younger generation to take on the fast-growing sport, which is becoming increasingly important in Rwanda.
Rayon Sports wins the 1998 CECAFA Cup
Just a year after Rwanda’s admission to the Council of Football Associations of East and Central Africa (CECAFA), Rayon Sports brought joy to all Rwandans when they won the 1998 CECAFA Cup, beating Zanzibar’s Mlandege FC 2-1 in the final.
The Blues had defeated Tanzanian giants Yanga 3-1 in the semi-finals in another great game. Victory in the competition brought cohesion to Rwandans as they believed they could achieve greater things by opposing Divisionism.
Rwanda B CECAFA Cup glory
Just two years after becoming a CECAFA member, Rwanda hosted the 1999 edition and at the time featured two teams, A and B, who would likely face each other in the finals.
Unfortunately, the senior team lost 4-1 to Kenya on penalties in the semi-finals after regulation time ended goalless and the senior team also defeated Burundi 2-1.
The B team beat Kenya 3-1 in the final, while the A team also defeated Burundi 3-2 on penalties to take third place. It was at this point that Rwandans began to find solace and happiness in sports, particularly football. This glory is notable for beginning to bring Rwandans together to support a nation and put their differences aside.
Valens Ndayisenga’s fame at the Tour du Rwanda
Ndayisenga won the 2014 Tour du Rwanda, arguably the largest cycling event on the African continent.
Since the competition was launched in 2009, no Rwandan cyclist had won it as it has always been dominated by foreigners, but Ndayisenga broke the curse. His fame was followed by a significant development of the sport, becoming one of the most attended sports in the country.
Patriots semifinals in the BAL
Basketball is currently one of the sports with a growing fan base in Rwanda and this prompted the country to venture into the sport with the construction of the Kigali Arena, which eventually hosted the inaugural season of the Basketball Africa League, a tournament that brings together elite African basketball players Societies.
The Patriots were at their best and reached the semifinals despite being eliminated by Tunisian giants US Monastir. Despite being eliminated, the semi-final remains the best achievement by a Rwandan club since the competition was launched in 2021.
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