Pierre Marchal Kwizera named Gisagara VC new head coach

Pierre Marchal Kwizera has officially been appointed as the new head coach of Gisagara Volleyball Club, taking over from Lawrence Yakan Guma.

The move comes as the club continues to reshape its technical bench following the resignation of Yakan Guma, as it prepares for a new competitive cycle in both domestic and continental volleyball.

Pierre Marchal Kwizera stands out due to his dual success as both player and coach.

As a player, he was a key middle blocker for APR VC and REG VC, helping REG win its first league title in 2018/19 and also representing Gisagara VC and others during a successful playing career that spanned over a decade.

He also played internationally in Algeria and featured for Rwanda’s national team.

As a coach, Kwizera guided REG VC to end its trophy drought by winning the Taxpayers Tournament and topping the regular season standings in 2023, proving his tactical strength and player development ability as he now takes charge at Gisagara VC.

The newly appointed Kwizera brings both playing and coaching experience at the highest level in Rwandan volleyball. 

His coaching style is known for strong blocking systems and developing young talent.

The Gisagara based team has established itself as one of Rwanda’s strongest men’s volleyball teams in recent years, particularly after winning the 2023 Rwanda Volleyball League title, finishing ahead of traditional rivals APR VC and Police VC. 

Fidèle Nyirimana was one of the early influential figures at Gisagara Volleyball Club, leading the team during its development phase and guiding it to major domestic success, including the 2018 Genocide Memorial Tournament title.

Under his leadership, the club also made significant progress on the continental stage, as it consistently represented Rwanda in the African Men’s Club Championships and achieved a historic bronze medal in 2022, becoming the first Rwandan men’s volleyball team to reach that milestone at the time.

His tenure is widely remembered for building a competitive squad capable of challenging dominant sides such as APR VC and REG VC.

Since 2016, Gisagara has been guided by several coaches who contributed to its rise.

After Nyirimana, Gisagara went through several technical transitions before Lawrence Yakan Guma, a former Rwanda national team captain, took over in 2023.

Under his leadership, Gisagara won the 2022 Rwanda Volleyball League title and strengthened its tactical structure, maintaining strong performances in regional competitions and cementing its reputation as a consistent title contender in Zone V tournaments.

Before his full-time appointment, Joseph Ndahiro also served in interim and technical roles, helping stabilize the squad and maintain continuity in league performances.