Rwanda national football team

Summary

The Rwanda national football team represents Rwanda in international football and is controlled by the Rwandese Association Football Federation, the governing body of football in Rwanda, and competes as a member of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), as well as the Council for East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA), a CAF sub-confederation that governs football in East and Central Africa. The team bears the nickname Amavubi (Kinyarwanda for The Wasps), and primarily plays its home games at the Stade Amahoro in Kigali, the nation's capital. They have never qualified for a World Cup finals, and reached their only Africa Cup of Nations in 2004.

Rwanda
Shirt badge/Association crest
Nickname(s)Amavubi (The Wasps)
AssociationRwanda Football Federation
ConfederationCAF (Africa)
Sub-confederationCECAFA (East Africa)
Head coachTorsten Spittler
CaptainHaruna Niyonzima
Most capsHaruna Niyonzima (110)
Top scorerOlivier Karekezi (24)
Home stadiumStade Amahoro, Nyamirambo Regional Stadium
FIFA codeRWA
First colours
Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current 133 Steady (15 February 2024)[1]
Highest64 (March 2015)
Lowest178 (July 1999)
First international
 Burundi 6–2 Rwanda 
(Libreville, Gabon; 29 June 1976)
Biggest win
 Rwanda 9–0 Djibouti 
(Dar es Salaam, Tanzania; 13 December 2007)
Biggest defeat
 Cameroon 5–0 Rwanda 
(Libreville, Gabon; 7 July 1976)
 Zaire 6–1 Rwanda 
(Gabon; 12 July 1976)
 Tunisia 5–0 Rwanda 
(Tunis, Tunisia; 10 April 1983)
 Uganda 5–0 Rwanda 
(Kampala, Uganda; 1 August 1998)
Africa Cup of Nations
Appearances1 (first in 2004)
Best resultGroup stage (2004)

History edit

Rwanda qualified for its first Africa Cup of Nations in the 2004 edition.[3] At the tournament, they lost their opening match 2–1 to Tunisia before winning their first ever point in the competition after a 1–1 draw against Guinea.[4] Rwanda went on to beat DR Congo in their final group match by a 1–0 scoreline, but it wasn't enough, as elsewhere in the group, Guinea and Tunisia drew, meaning both teams progressed to the quarter-finals, and Rwanda were eliminated.[5]

Team image edit

Kit edit

In 2001, after adopting the new flag of Rwanda, The Federation (FERWAFA) changed the color of the team kit. The new team kit consists of a yellow jersey, blue shorts and green socks for home matches, while their away kit is either all white or all blue. Adidas has generally been the manufacturer for the Rwandan team since 2001.[6] However, between 2004 and 2009, Rwanda used L-sport as their outfitter, and in 2015 the side started wearing kit provided by AMS, an emerging Australian supplier.

Names edit

Under the official FIFA Trigramme the team's name is abbreviated as RWA; this acronym is used by FIFA, the CAF and the CECAFA to identify the team in official competitions.[7] However the team was more commonly known as the RR, the acronym for the country's official name, Repubulika y'u Rwanda or République du Rwanda, which the local press used when they referred to the team as the RR XI. The national team is often referred to as Amavubi (The Wasps).[8][9]

Results and fixtures edit

The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.

  Win   Draw   Loss   Fixture

2023 edit

29 March 2023 AFCON qualification Rwanda   0–3
(awarded)
  Benin Kigali, Rwanda
15:00 UTC+2
  • Manzi   71'
Report
Stadium: Kigali Pelé Stadium
Referee: Abdulkadir Artan (Somalia)
18 June 2023 AFCON qualification Rwanda   0–2   Mozambique Butare, Rwanda
15:00 UTC+2 Report
Stadium: Stade Huye
Referee: Mustapha Ghorbal (Algeria)
9 September 2023 AFCON qualification Senegal   1–1   Rwanda Butare, Rwanda
21:00 UTC+2
Report
Stadium: Stade Huye
Referee: Haythem Guirat (Tunisia)
15 November 2026 World Cup qualification Rwanda   0–0   Zimbabwe Butare, Rwanda
15:00 UTC+2 Report Stadium: Stade Huye
Attendance: 10,000
Referee: Mohamed Ali Moussa (Niger)
21 November 2026 World Cup qualification Rwanda   2–0   South Africa Butare, Rwanda
15:00 UTC+2
Report Stadium: Stade Huye
Referee: Amin Omar (Egypt)

2024 edit

22 March Friendly Botswana   0–0   Rwanda Antananarivo, Madagascar
Stadium: Mahamasina Municipal Stadium
25 March Friendly Madagascar   0–2   Rwanda Antananarivo, Madagascar
16:00 UTC+3 Stadium: Mahamasina Municipal Stadium

Coaching history edit

Caretaker managers are listed in italics.

Players edit

Current squad edit

The following players were called up for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification matches against Zimbabwe and South Africa on 15 and 21 November 2023.[10]

Caps and goals correct as of 21 November 2023, after the match against   South Africa.
No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1GK Fiacre Ntwari (1999-09-25) 25 September 1999 (age 24) 14 0   AS Kigali
1GK Gad Muhawenayo (1995-11-30) 30 November 1995 (age 28) 0 0   Musanze Butare
1GK Jimmy Djihad Nzeyurwanda 0 0   Kiyovu Sports

2DF Fitina Omborenga (1996-05-20) 20 May 1996 (age 27) 63 1   APR
2DF Emmanuel Imanishimwe (1995-02-02) 2 February 1995 (age 29) 42 0   AS FAR
2DF Thierry Manzi (1996-07-12) 12 July 1996 (age 27) 42 4   AS Kigali
2DF Abdul Rwatubyaye (1996-10-23) 23 October 1996 (age 27) 33 3   Rayon Sports
2DF Ange Mutsinzi (1997-11-15) 15 November 1997 (age 26) 20 0   Jerv
2DF Ali Serumogo (1995-01-01) 1 January 1995 (age 29) 13 0   Kiyovu Sports
2DF Jean Claude Niyomugabo (1998-08-02) 2 August 1998 (age 25) 7 0   APR
2DF Clément Niyigena (2001-02-17) 17 February 2001 (age 23) 5 0   APR
2DF Christian Ishimwe (1999-02-01) 1 February 1999 (age 25) 4 0   AS Kigali
2DF Isaac Mitima (1997-12-16) 16 December 1997 (age 26) 1 0   Rayon Sports

3MF Djihad Bizimana (1996-12-12) 12 December 1996 (age 27) 54 1   Kryvbas Kryvyi Rih
3MF Kevin Muhire (1998-10-17) 17 October 1998 (age 25) 31 0   Rayon Sports
3MF Olivier Niyonzima (1993-01-01) 1 January 1993 (age 31) 27 3   Kiyovu Sports
3MF Lague Byiringiro (2000-10-25) 25 October 2000 (age 23) 12 1   Sandvikens IF
3MF Jean Bosco Ruboneka (1999-01-01) 1 January 1999 (age 25) 9 0   APR
3MF Bonheur Mugisha (2000-01-01) 1 January 2000 (age 24) 8 0   Al Ahli Tripoli
3MF Hakim Sahabo (2005-06-16) 16 June 2005 (age 18) 7 0   Standard Liège
3MF Elie Tatou Iradukunda (2006-10-01) 1 October 2006 (age 17) 0 0   Mukura Victory Sports
3MF Froduard Mugiraneza (1997-01-01) 1 January 1997 (age 27) 0 0   Kiyovu Sports

4FW Patrick Sibomana (1996-10-15) 15 October 1996 (age 27) 19 2   Ferroviário da Beira
4FW Innocent Nshuti (1998-01-31) 31 January 1998 (age 26) 13 3   One Knoxville
4FW York Rafael (1999-03-17) 17 March 1999 (age 25) 10 0   Gefle
4FW Gilbert Mugisha (1996-07-18) 18 July 1996 (age 27) 7 2   APR
4FW Yves Mugunga (1997-05-01) 1 May 1997 (age 26) 6 1   Kiyovu Sports
4FW Bienvenu Mugenzi (1993-11-08) 8 November 1993 (age 30) 5 0   Police
4FW Didier Mugisha (1996-11-28) 28 November 1996 (age 27) 2 0   Police
4FW Arthur Gitego (2002-01-01) 1 January 2002 (age 22) 1 0   Marines
4FW Alain Kwitonda (1997-10-05) 5 October 1997 (age 26) 1 0   APR

Recent call-ups edit

The following players have been called up for Rwanda in the last 12 months.

Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club Latest call-up
GK Olivier Kwizera (1995-07-30) 30 July 1995 (age 28) 20 0   Al-Kawkab v.   Benin; 29 March 2023
GK Pierre Ishimwe (2002-06-16) 16 June 2002 (age 21) 3 0   APR v.   Benin; 29 March 2023

DF Aimable Nsabimana (1997-06-06) 6 June 1997 (age 26) 8 0   Kiyovu Sports v.   Benin; 29 March 2023
DF Elie Ganijuru (1998-07-23) 23 July 1998 (age 25) 1 0   Rayon Sports v.   Benin; 29 March 2023

MF Dominique Savio Nshuti (1997-01-01) 1 January 1997 (age 27) 39 3   Police v.   Mozambique; 18 June 2023
MF Steve Rubanguka (1996-10-14) 14 October 1996 (age 27) 4 0   Al-Nojoom v.   Mozambique; 18 June 2023
MF Ally Niyonzima (1996-02-11) 11 February 1996 (age 28) 22 0   Bumamuru v.   Benin; 29 March 2023
MF Hadji Iraguha (1998-07-18) 18 July 1998 (age 25) 1 0   Rayon Sports v.   Benin; 29 March 2023
MF Simeon Iradukunda (1998-11-28) 28 November 1998 (age 25) 0 0   Gorilla v.   Benin; 29 March 2023

FW Muhadjiri Hakizimana (1994-08-13) 13 August 1994 (age 29) 34 7   Police v.   Senegal; 9 September 2023
FW Meddie Kagere (1986-10-10) 10 October 1986 (age 37) 59 15   Singida United v.   Benin; 29 March 2023
FW Fred Muhozi (1999-04-11) 11 April 1999 (age 24) 8 1   Espoir FC v.   Benin; 29 March 2023
FW Glen Habimana (2001-11-13) 13 November 2001 (age 22) 4 0   Victoria Rosport v.   Benin; 29 March 2023
FW Yannick Bizimana (1998-06-02) 2 June 1998 (age 25) 3 0   APR v.   Benin; 29 March 2023
FW Moise Nyarugabo (2002-06-03) 3 June 2002 (age 21) 0 0   AS Kigali v.   Benin; 29 March 2023

  • DEC Player refused to join the team after the call-up.
  • INJ Player withdrew from the squad due to an injury.
  • PRE Preliminary squad.
  • RET Player has retired from international football.
  • SUS Serving suspension.

Player records edit

As of 21 November 2023[11]
Players in bold are still active with Rwanda.

Most appearances edit

Rank Name Caps Goals Career
1 Haruna Niyonzima 112 6 2006–present
2 Jean-Baptiste Mugiraneza 89 6 2006–2018
3 Jean-Claude Iranzi 76 3 2008–2019
4 Olivier Karekezi 70 24 2000–2013
5 Jean-Luc Ndayishimiye 64 0 2007–2019
6 Fitina Omborenga 63 1 2013–present
7 Meddie Kagere 59 15 2011–present
Jacques Tuyisenge 59 16 2011–present
9 Djihad Bizimana 54 1 2015–present
10 Jean-Claude Ndoli 50 0 2005–2014

Top goalscorers edit

Rank Name Goals Caps Ratio Career
1 Olivier Karekezi 24 70 0.34 2000–2013
2 Jacques Tuyisenge 16 59 0.27 2011–present
3 Meddie Kagere 15 59 0.25 2011–present
4 Jean Lomami 14 25 0.56 2003–2009
5 Labama Bokota 13 33 0.39 2007–2012
6 Ernest Sugira 12 36 0.33 2015–present
7 Saïd Makasi 9 26 0.35 2003–2009
8 Jimmy Gatété 8 41 0.2 1996–2009
9 Daddy Birori 7 25 0.28 2009–2014
Muhadjiri Hakizimana 7 34 0.21 2016–present

Competition records edit

FIFA World Cup edit

FIFA World Cup record FIFA World Cup qualification record
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA Pld W D L GF GA
  1978 Not a FIFA member Not a FIFA member
  1982 Did not enter Declined participation
  1986
  1990 Withdrew Withdrew
  1994 Did not enter Declined participation
  1998 Did not qualify 2 0 0 2 1 5
    2002 2 0 1 1 2 4
  2006 12 2 3 7 10 17
  2010 10 3 2 5 8 11
  2014 8 1 3 4 7 13
  2018 2 0 0 2 1 4
  2022 8 2 1 5 12 9
      2026 To be determined 2 1 1 0 2 0
      2030 To be determined
  2034
Total 0/11 46 9 11 26 43 63

CECAFA Cup edit

Honours edit

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ "The FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking". FIFA. 15 February 2024. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
  2. ^ Elo rankings change compared to one year ago. "World Football Elo Ratings". eloratings.net. 27 March 2024. Retrieved 27 March 2024.
  3. ^ "Rwanda's football mercenaries". BBC Sport. BBC. 28 January 2004. Archived from the original on 17 July 2013. Retrieved 18 January 2013.
  4. ^ "Rwanda snatch dramatic point". BBC Sport. BBC. 28 January 2004. Archived from the original on 17 July 2013. Retrieved 18 January 2013.
  5. ^ "Rwanda dumped out". BBC Sport. BBC. 31 January 2004. Archived from the original on 10 February 2018. Retrieved 18 January 2013.
  6. ^ "Rwanda football shirt 1994 – 1996". oldfootballshirts.com. 14 December 2011. Archived from the original on 11 August 2016. Retrieved 19 June 2016.
  7. ^ "Member Association – Rwanda". FIFA.com. FIFA. Archived from the original on 6 July 2007. Retrieved 19 June 2016.
  8. ^ "Rwanda football Boss Rallies The Wasps Ahead Of Benin Clash - Goal.com". goal.com. Goal. 29 September 2010. Archived from the original on 26 December 2018. Retrieved 19 June 2016.
  9. ^ "Rwanda's Amavumbi Stars invite Uganda Cranes on Feb 6th". starafrica.com. 2 February 2013. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 19 June 2016.
  10. ^ "Final Squad". Twitter. Rwanda FA.
  11. ^ "Rwanda". National Football Teams.

External links edit

  • Official website
  • Rwanda at CAF
  • Rwanda at FIFA
  • Rwanda national football team on Facebook
  • Rwanda national football team on Twitter
  • Rwanda national football team picture
  • Discover Rwanda