Rwandan sports researchers have launched a study to understand why the country’s national teams often struggle to close out matches despite strong performances for much of the game.
Conducted in partnership with the Ministry of Sports, the study focuses on football, basketball and volleyball, where researchers have identified similar patterns of late-game difficulties.
Amavubi have frequently seen their performance drop after the 70th minute, while the basketball team has struggled to maintain intensity in the fourth quarter. Volleyball teams, meanwhile, have often fallen short in decisive tie-break sets.
The findings are expected to provide scientific evidence to help improve the performance of Rwanda’s national teams.
Investigating the causes
Dr Musa Hakizimana, one of the lead researchers, said the study is examining physiological, nutritional and developmental factors that could affect athletes during crucial stages of competition.
"We are examining morphology, nutrition, hydration, recovery, accuracy in performance, and athlete development from a young age through adulthood,” Hakizimana said.
"We want to understand what happens when athletes reach the final stages of competition and why performance levels sometimes decline.”
The research will also examine whether athletes are adequately prepared to handle prolonged workloads and recover effectively before and during competitions.
"Physical preparation is not only about strength but also about endurance, recovery capacity, and maintaining accuracy when fatigue sets in,” Hakizimana said.
Researchers say factors such as nutrition, hydration, sleep and recovery can influence concentration, decision-making, reaction speed and technical execution, particularly during the closing stages of matches.
The study is also assessing athlete development pathways from childhood to elite competition, with the aim of identifying ways to build the physical and mental resilience needed to perform consistently under pressure.
The Ministry of Sports is working with the researchers to ensure the findings translate into practical recommendations for federations and national teams.
"Our objective is not merely to identify the problem but to provide solutions that can guide the future of Rwandan sport,” Hakizimana said.
The findings could influence policies on athlete development, conditioning, nutrition, sports medicine and performance monitoring.
Recent examples
Several recent competitions have highlighted Rwanda’s difficulties in maintaining performance during decisive moments.
In March 2025, Amavubi appeared on course for a crucial World Cup qualifying victory over Lesotho at Amahoro Stadium after Jojea Kwizera gave Rwanda the lead in the 58th minute.
However, Lehlohonolo Fothoane equalised in the 82nd minute to force a 1-1 draw.
Basketball has produced similar frustrations. During the AfroBasket 2025 qualifiers, Rwanda lost 86-83 to Cameroon after leading by as many as nine points. A late decline in offensive efficiency allowed Cameroon to complete the comeback.
Volleyball has also experienced painful defeats. Rwanda’s U-20 men’s team lost 3-2 to Morocco at the African Nations Championship after forcing a fifth set, only to fall 15-11 in the decider.
"It is always painful when you lose in the final set after fighting hard to win, but it is a lesson learned,” volleyball coach Dominic Ntawangundi told Weekend Sport.
Lessons from the past
Former Rwanda U-17 captain Emeri Bayisenge recalls experiencing a similar setback during the 2011 Africa U-17 Cup of Nations final, when Rwanda lost 2-1 late to Burkina Faso.
"It was hard for us because we believed we could win the game, but we lost in the closing minutes. At the same time, it was a valuable learning experience,” Bayisenge said.
Rwanda had equalised through Tibingana Mwesigye after falling behind, but Burkina Faso scored the winner in the 77th minute despite being reduced to 10 men.
Bayisenge, however, believes reaching the final remains an achievement worth celebrating.
"Despite the emotional defeat in the final, reaching the final itself was a historic milestone. It marked Rwanda’s first appearance in a CAF tournament final and secured qualification for the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Mexico,” he said.
Turning to science
For sports stakeholders, the research marks an important step towards addressing recurring weaknesses that have prevented Rwanda from turning competitive performances into victories.
Rather than relying on assumptions, researchers are turning to science to examine the factors behind late-game declines and develop strategies to help athletes maintain their performance from the opening whistle to the final point.
As Rwanda continues to invest in sports development, the study could provide valuable answers on endurance, recovery, nutrition and athlete development—and help national teams finish stronger on the international stage.