Rescheduling league games has been a constant feature in the Rwanda Premier League and on the African continent at large for many years. The league body normally issues the fixture schedule before the season starts but the calendar may change and force games rescheduled due to clubs' engagement in Africa competitions and international football games among other factors. This scenario has over the years affected many teams not only in Rwanda alone but also across the entire African continent. Narrowing down our sphere, there have been clubs such as MO Bejaia and MC El Eulma of Algeria as well as Marumo Gallants of South Africa who got relegated from their domestic league the same season they played in Africa club competitions. This was due to the fact that they had so many rescheduled games and could not catch up. APR FC are supposed to play four rescheduled league games in the space of 11 days between December 1 and December 11 to ensure that all first round matches need to end before the Christmas break The military club is in a predicament which other clubs have also faced in the past years and, aside playing in CAF club competitions, national team camping has also caused the league to be rescheduled a host of times. With that, there is not much to say as Amavubi remains a big priority. ALSO READ: Rayon vs APR derby postponed again In the recent 2025 African Cup of National (AFCON) and CHAN qualifiers, Amavubi coach Frank Torsten Spittler emphasized that the league should go on as he doesn't need players for long periods as they already know his philosophy. I do not need players camping for a long time and the league can go on this weekend, we already have the core of the team and the national team games are closer to each other so whatever we learnt is still in their head, Spittler said before Amavubi beat Djibouti 3-0 win in the CHAN qualifiers. ALSO READ: Rayon Sports vs APR to be rescheduled For the clubs, rescheduling league games is a real headache as it serves as a bane to their plans, technical team tactics, finances from game proceeds. Mukura Victory Sports Managing Director Protais Musoni believes the fixture calendar can be managed if all concerned stakeholders make it their responsibility. Rescheduling Rwanda Premier League games disrupts clubs plans, affects player recovery, technical preparations, finances, and fan engagement. Some clubs have to play 3 matches in 10 Days. Some matches will be played in midweek that affects fan attendance at stadium, Musoni told Times Sport. It's very challenging. Hopefully, it's a lesson for clubs, and Rwanda Premier league, next time fixtures might be adjusted and planned based on international competitions either for clubs or national teams.” How does rescheduled games affect players? Players are the main actors in football. According to Sems-Journal on Sports & Exercise medicine published in Switzerland on November 1, 2019, when the football schedule is congested (that is two matches per week over several weeks), the repetition of matches can lead to a chronic fatigue among the players who play regularly, as the recovery time between two successive matches may be too short. Players need a minimum three to four days (72 hours to 96 hours) to effectively recover fully from a match. Otherwise, the risk of getting injuries increases due to fatigue. In Europe, teams playing in lesser European competitions do not risk, for example 90 percent of Chelsea players playing in the UEFA Conference League this season are not actively playing in league games. Again, even those teams like playing in top European competitions like the Champions League and the Europa, they manage things very well and the system there is that tedious. Traveling is easy, no long transit, and even after games, they have special nutritionists, doctors and others who make sure the players regain their energy. Moreover, unlike Africa where continental club competitions are mostly played on weekends, in Europe, they are played in midweek making clubs have the chance to play their domestic league games on the weekend. Rescheduling league games is not only a Rwandan league problem but an issue for Africa. It is about time that fixtures are made by the various football federations and league boards taking club and national team football into consideration. When this is done, leagues will go on smoothly without being interrupted. This will help both the players, fans and club management.
