Rwanda national football team

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.

This article is about the men's team. For the women's team, see Rwanda women's national football team.

Rwanda
Shirt badge/Association crest
Nickname(s)Amavubi (The Wasps)
AssociationRwanda Football Federation
ConfederationCAF (Africa)
Sub-confederationCECAFA (East Africa)
Head coachGerard Buscher (caretaker)
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 139 Steady (21 September 2023)[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

Rwanda qualified for its first Africa Cup of Nations in the 2004 edition.[2] 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.[3] 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.[4]

Team image

Kit

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.[5] 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

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.[6] 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).[7][8]

Results and fixtures

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

2022
17 November Friendly Rwanda  0–0  Sudan Kigali, Rwanda
14:00 UTC+3 Stadium: Amahoro Stadium
19 November Friendly Rwanda  1–0  Sudan Kigali, Rwanda
Gouho 21' Stadium: Amahoro Stadium
Referee: Jean-Claude Ishimwe (Rwanda)

2023
19 March Friendly Ethiopia  1–0  Rwanda Adama, Ethiopia
11:30 UTC+3
Report Stadium: Adama Stadium
Referee: Manue Weldetadik (Ethiopia)
22 March 2023 AFCON qualification Benin  1–1  Rwanda Cotonou, Benin
16:00 UTC+1
Report
  • Mugisha 13'
 Stadium: Stade de l'Amitié
Referee: Joshua Bondo (Botswana)
29 March 2023 AFCON qualification Rwanda  0–3
(awarded)		  Benin Kigali, Rwanda
15:00 UTC+2
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)
November 2026 World Cup qualification Rwanda  v  Zimbabwe
November 2026 World Cup qualification Rwanda  v  South Africa

Coaching history
Caretaker managers are listed in italics.

Players

Current squad

The following players were called up for the 2023 AFCON qualification matches against Benin on 22 and 27 March 2023.[10]

Caps and goals correct as of 27 March 2023, after the match against  Benin.
No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1GK Olivier Kwizera (1995-07-30) 30 July 1995 20 0 Saudi Arabia Al-Kawkab
1GK Fiacre Ntwari (1999-09-25) 25 September 1999 10 0 Rwanda AS Kigali
1GK Pierre Ishimwe (2002-06-16) 16 June 2002 3 0 Rwanda APR
2DF Fitina Omborenga (1996-05-20) 20 May 1996 59 1 Rwanda APR
2DF Emmanuel Imanishimwe (1995-02-02) 2 February 1995 39 0 Morocco AS FAR
2DF Thierry Manzi (1996-07-12) 12 July 1996 39 4 Rwanda AS Kigali
2DF Abdul Rwatubyaye (1996-10-23) 23 October 1996 33 3 Rwanda Rayon Sports
2DF Ange Mutsinzi (1997-11-15) 15 November 1997 16 0 Norway Jerv
2DF Ali Serumogo (1995-01-01) 1 January 1995 12 0 Rwanda Kiyovu Sports
2DF Aimable Nsabimana (1997-06-06) 6 June 1997 8 0 Rwanda Kiyovu Sports
2DF Clément Niyigena (2001-02-17) 17 February 2001 5 0 Rwanda APR
2DF Christian Ishimwe (1999-02-01) 1 February 1999 3 0 Rwanda AS Kigali
2DF Elie Ganijuru (1998-07-23) 23 July 1998 1 0 Rwanda Rayon Sports
3MF Djihad Bizimana (1996-12-12) 12 December 1996 50 1 Ukraine Kryvbas Kryvyi Rih
3MF Kevin Muhire (1998-10-17) 17 October 1998 29 0 Rwanda Rayon Sports
3MF Ally Niyonzima (1996-02-11) 11 February 1996 22 0 Burundi Bumamuru
3MF York Rafael (1999-03-17) 17 March 1999 10 0 Sweden Gefle
3MF Bonheur Mugisha (2000-01-01) 1 January 2000 7 0 Rwanda APR
3MF Hakim Sahabo (2005-06-16) 16 June 2005 4 0 France Lille
3MF Steve Rubanguka (1996-10-14) 14 October 1996 3 0 Moldova Zimbru Chișinău
3MF Simeon Iradukunda (1998-11-28) 28 November 1998 0 0 Rwanda Gorilla
3MF Hadji Iraguha (1998-07-18) 18 July 1998 1 0 Rwanda Rayon Sports
4FW Meddie Kagere (1986-10-10) 10 October 1986 59 15 Tanzania Singida United
4FW Fred Muhozi (1999-04-11) 11 April 1999 8 1 Rwanda Espoir FC
4FW Glen Habimana (2001-11-13) 13 November 2001 4 0 Luxembourg Victoria Rosport
4FW Bienvenu Mugenzi (1993-11-08) 8 November 1993 4 0 Rwanda Kiyovu Sports
4FW Yannick Bizimana (1998-06-02) 2 June 1998 3 0 Rwanda APR
4FW Gilbert Mugisha (1996-07-18) 18 July 1996 3 1 Rwanda APR
4FW Didier Mugisha (1996-11-28) 28 November 1996 0 0 Rwanda Police
4FW Moise Nyarugabo (2002-06-03) 3 June 2002 0 0 Rwanda AS Kigali

Recent call-ups

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
DF Claude Niyomugabo (1998-08-02) 2 August 1998 5 0 Rwanda APR v.  Sudan, 19 November 2022
MF Gilbert Ishimwe (2000-10-10) 10 October 2000 2 0 Sweden Örebro Syrianska v.  Sudan, 19 November 2022
FW Dominique Savio Nshuti (1997-01-01) 1 January 1997 38 3 Rwanda Police v.  Sudan, 19 November 2022
FW Muhadjiri Hakizimana (1994-08-13) 13 August 1994 32 7 Rwanda AS Kigali v.  Sudan, 19 November 2022
FW Gerard Gohou (1988-12-29) 29 December 1988 3 1 Free agent v.  Sudan, 19 November 2022
  • 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
As of 9 September 2023[11]
Players in bold are still active with Rwanda.

Most appearances
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 61 1 2013–present
7 Meddie Kagere 59 15 2011–present
Jacques Tuyisenge 59 16 2011–present
9 Djihad Bizimana 52 1 2015–present
10 Jean-Claude Ndoli 50 0 2005–2014

Top goalscorers
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

FIFA World Cup
FIFA World Cup record FIFA World Cup qualification record
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA Pld W D L GF GA
Uruguay 1930 to Chile 1962 Part of  Belgium Part of  Belgium
England 1966 to Mexico 1986 Did not enter Declined participation
Italy 1990 Withdrew Withdrew
United States 1994 Did not enter Declined participation
France 1998 Did not qualify 2 0 0 2 1 5
South Korea Japan 2002 2 0 1 1 2 4
Germany 2006 12 2 3 7 10 17
South Africa 2010 10 3 2 5 8 11
Brazil 2014 8 1 3 4 7 13
Russia 2018 2 0 0 2 1 4
Qatar 2022 8215129
Canada Mexico United States 2026 To be determined To be determined
Total 0/22 44 8 10 26 41 63

CECAFA Cup
Main article: CECAFA Cup

Honours

See also

References
  1. "The FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking". FIFA. 21 September 2023. Retrieved 21 September 2023.
  2. "Rwanda's football mercenaries". BBC Sport. BBC. 28 January 2004. Archived from the original on 17 July 2013. Retrieved 18 January 2013.
  3. "Rwanda snatch dramatic point". BBC Sport. BBC. 28 January 2004. Archived from the original on 17 July 2013. Retrieved 18 January 2013.
  4. "Rwanda dumped out". BBC Sport. BBC. 31 January 2004. Archived from the original on 10 February 2018. Retrieved 18 January 2013.
  5. "Rwanda football shirt 1994 – 1996". oldfootballshirts.com. 14 December 2011. Archived from the original on 11 August 2016. Retrieved 19 June 2016.
  6. "Member Association – Rwanda". FIFA.com. FIFA. Archived from the original on 6 July 2007. Retrieved 19 June 2016.
  7. "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.
  8. "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.
  9. "Final Squad". Instagram. ferwafa.
  10. "Amavubi Stars". Instagram. @ferwafa. Archived from the original on 11 March 2023. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
  11. "Rwanda". National Football Teams.
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