{"id":120556,"date":"2026-02-25T15:42:26","date_gmt":"2026-02-25T15:42:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/rwanda\/all-news\/sempoma-calls-for-calm-amid-team-rwanda-struggles"},"modified":"2026-02-25T16:36:54","modified_gmt":"2026-02-25T16:36:54","slug":"sempoma-calls-for-calm-amid-team-rwanda-struggles","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/rwanda\/sport\/sempoma-calls-for-calm-amid-team-rwanda-struggles","title":{"rendered":"Sempoma calls for calm amid Team Rwanda struggles"},"content":{"rendered":"

Africa-Press – Rwanda. <\/strong><\/span>Team Rwanda head coach Felix Sempoma still believes that, despite local riders struggling to make an early impact at the Tour du Rwanda, the experience gained from competing at a higher level will prove vital for future success.<\/p>\n

The last time a Rwandan rider won a stage at the Tour du Rwanda\u2014since the race was upgraded to UCI 2.1 status\u2014was in 2022, when Moise Mugisha claimed a memorable victory on the final stage.<\/p>\n

For Sempoma, whose coaching journey began when the race joined the UCI calendar as a 2.2 event in 2009, the absence of recent stage wins reflects the growing competitiveness of the race rather than a decline in local talent.<\/p>\n

\u201cRwandans used to be regulars on the podium, but the competition today is very different from what it was in the past,\u201d the 55-year-old tactician told Times Sport.<\/p>\n

Team Rwanda Head coach Felix Sempoma in the car give instructions to his veteran rider Patrick Byukusenge during the race.<\/p>\n

\u201cWinning now requires better preparation and consistent high-level exposure. We are working hard, but the level of competition matters. Even so, there are clear signs that our riders can return to the podium in the future.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sempoma highlighted the strength of outfits such as Israel\u2019s NSN Development Team, which has already produced two stage winners in this year\u2019s edition\u2014Pau Soriano Marti\u0301 and Itamar Einhorn, the latter winning the opening stage.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat team can estimate its chances of winning at around 70 percent based on results from more than five races they competed in within a single month,\u201d Sempoma explained. \u201cTeam Rwanda had a three-month training camp and raced at the Tour of Sharjah in February before this event, but the exposure gap is still significant.\u201d<\/p>\n

According to the coach, hosting a high-level race on home soil does not guarantee automatic victories. However, he insists the long-term benefits outweigh short-term setbacks.<\/p>\n

\u201cAccepting the changes in competition level is important. Our riders are gaining experience. Last year, Vainqueur Masengesho finished seventh overall, which was a strong performance,\u201d he noted.<\/p>\n

As the race heads into Stage Four, Samuel Mugisha is currently the highest-placed Rwandan rider, sitting 10th overall, 43 seconds behind stage winner Jurgen Zomermaand.<\/p>\n

Team Rwanda riders pose for a photo before starting Stage 1 Gicumbi-Rwamagana.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis progress may take time, but it is convincing when you consider where we started,\u201d Sempoma added.<\/p>\n

Developing champions<\/p>\n

Over more than 12 years in coaching, Sempoma has played a key role in shaping several riders who have excelled on the continental stage. His most memorable achievement came in 2018 when Joseph Areruya made history by becoming the first Rwandan to win La Tropicale Amissa Bongo\u2014then the most prestigious race on the UCI Africa Tour.<\/p>\n

Beyond Areruya\u2019s triumph, Sempoma has worked with some of Rwanda\u2019s most celebrated cyclists, including former Tour du Rwanda winners Jean Bosco Nsengimana and Samuel Mugisha, as well as Bonaventure Uwizeyimana, Nathan Byukusenge and Janvier Hadi, who have since retired.<\/p>\n

\u201cI always feel proud to have contributed to the growth of these talents,\u201d he said. \u201cBut the work continues, because there are still many talented riders to be discovered.\u201d<\/p>\n

Trust local coaches<\/p>\n

Sempoma took over as head coach after Frenchman David Louvet ended his contract with the national team following the UCI Road World Championships in September 2025.<\/p>\n

At the time, Samson Ndayishimiye, president of the Rwanda Cycling Federation (FERWACY), emphasized the importance of trusting local coaching capacity.<\/p>\n

For Sempoma, collaboration remains essential.<\/p>\n

\u201cCycling constantly evolves with new tactics and approaches,\u201d he said. \u201cSkill development is crucial. There is no rush to stop working with foreign coaches\u2014we can still learn from their philosophy and tactical understanding to improve our results.\u201d<\/p>\n\r\n