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.
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Nickname(s) | Amavubi (The Wasps) | ||
---|---|---|---|
Association | Rwanda Football Federation | ||
Confederation | CAF (Africa) | ||
Sub-confederation | CECAFA (East Africa) | ||
Head coach | Gerard Buscher (caretaker) | ||
Captain | Haruna Niyonzima | ||
Most caps | Haruna Niyonzima (110) | ||
Top scorer | Olivier Karekezi (24) | ||
Home stadium | Stade Amahoro, Nyamirambo Regional Stadium | ||
FIFA code | RWA | ||
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FIFA ranking | |||
Current | 139 ![]() | ||
Highest | 64 (March 2015) | ||
Lowest | 178 (July 1999) | ||
First international | |||
![]() ![]() (Libreville, Gabon; 29 June 1976) | |||
Biggest win | |||
![]() ![]() (Dar es Salaam, Tanzania; 13 December 2007) | |||
Biggest defeat | |||
![]() ![]() (Libreville, Gabon; 7 July 1976) ![]() ![]() (Gabon; 12 July 1976) ![]() ![]() (Tunis, Tunisia; 10 April 1983) ![]() ![]() (Kampala, Uganda; 1 August 1998) | |||
Africa Cup of Nations | |||
Appearances | 1 (first in 2004) | ||
Best result | Group 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
2023
19 March Friendly | Ethiopia ![]() | 1–0 | ![]() | Adama, Ethiopia |
11:30 UTC+3 |
|
Report | Stadium: Adama Stadium Referee: Manue Weldetadik (Ethiopia) |
22 March 2023 AFCON qualification | Benin ![]() | 1–1 | ![]() | Cotonou, Benin |
16:00 UTC+1 |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Stade de l'Amitié Referee: Joshua Bondo (Botswana) |
29 March 2023 AFCON qualification | Rwanda ![]() | 0–3 (awarded) | ![]() | Kigali, Rwanda |
15:00 UTC+2 |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Kigali Pelé Stadium Referee: Abdulkadir Artan (Somalia) |
18 June 2023 AFCON qualification | Rwanda ![]() | 0–2 | ![]() | Butare, Rwanda |
15:00 UTC+2 | Report | Stadium: Stade Huye Referee: Mustapha Ghorbal (Algeria) |
9 September 2023 AFCON qualification | Senegal ![]() | 1–1 | ![]() | Butare, Rwanda |
21:00 UTC+2 |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Stade Huye Referee: Haythem Guirat (Tunisia) |
November 2026 World Cup qualification | Rwanda ![]() | v | ![]() |
November 2026 World Cup qualification | Rwanda ![]() | v | ![]() |
Coaching history
- Caretaker managers are listed in italics.
Otto Pfister (1972–76)
Metin Türel (1991)
Longin Rudasingwa (1998-1999)
Rudi Gutendorf (1999–00)
Longin Rudasingwa (2000–01)
Ratomir Dujković (2001–04)
Roger Palmgren (2004–05)
Michael Nees (2006–07)
Josip Kuže (2007–08)
Raoul Shungu (2008)
Branko Tucak (2008–09)
Eric Nshimiyimana (2009–10)
Sellas Tetteh (2010–11)
Milutin Sredojević (2011–13)
Eric Nshimiyimana (2013–14)
Stephen Constantine (2014–2015)
Lee Johnson (2015)
Johnny McKinstry (2015–16)
Gilbert Kanyankore (2016)
Jimmy Mulisa (2016)
Antoine Hey (2017–2018)
François Karekezi
Vincent Mashami (2018–2022)
Carlos Alós (2022–2023)
Gerard Buscher (2023–)
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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GK | Olivier Kwizera | 30 July 1995 | 20 | 0 | ![]() | |
GK | Fiacre Ntwari | 25 September 1999 | 10 | 0 | ![]() | |
GK | Pierre Ishimwe | 16 June 2002 | 3 | 0 | ![]() | |
DF | Fitina Omborenga | 20 May 1996 | 59 | 1 | ![]() | |
DF | Emmanuel Imanishimwe | 2 February 1995 | 39 | 0 | ![]() | |
DF | Thierry Manzi | 12 July 1996 | 39 | 4 | ![]() | |
DF | Abdul Rwatubyaye | 23 October 1996 | 33 | 3 | ![]() | |
DF | Ange Mutsinzi | 15 November 1997 | 16 | 0 | ![]() | |
DF | Ali Serumogo | 1 January 1995 | 12 | 0 | ![]() | |
DF | Aimable Nsabimana | 6 June 1997 | 8 | 0 | ![]() | |
DF | Clément Niyigena | 17 February 2001 | 5 | 0 | ![]() | |
DF | Christian Ishimwe | 1 February 1999 | 3 | 0 | ![]() | |
DF | Elie Ganijuru | 23 July 1998 | 1 | 0 | ![]() | |
MF | Djihad Bizimana | 12 December 1996 | 50 | 1 | ![]() | |
MF | Kevin Muhire | 17 October 1998 | 29 | 0 | ![]() | |
MF | Ally Niyonzima | 11 February 1996 | 22 | 0 | ![]() | |
MF | York Rafael | 17 March 1999 | 10 | 0 | ![]() | |
MF | Bonheur Mugisha | 1 January 2000 | 7 | 0 | ![]() | |
MF | Hakim Sahabo | 16 June 2005 | 4 | 0 | ![]() | |
MF | Steve Rubanguka | 14 October 1996 | 3 | 0 | ![]() | |
MF | Simeon Iradukunda | 28 November 1998 | 0 | 0 | ![]() | |
MF | Hadji Iraguha | 18 July 1998 | 1 | 0 | ![]() | |
FW | Meddie Kagere | 10 October 1986 | 59 | 15 | ![]() | |
FW | Fred Muhozi | 11 April 1999 | 8 | 1 | ![]() | |
FW | Glen Habimana | 13 November 2001 | 4 | 0 | ![]() | |
FW | Bienvenu Mugenzi | 8 November 1993 | 4 | 0 | ![]() | |
FW | Yannick Bizimana | 2 June 1998 | 3 | 0 | ![]() | |
FW | Gilbert Mugisha | 18 July 1996 | 3 | 1 | ![]() | |
FW | Didier Mugisha | 28 November 1996 | 0 | 0 | ![]() | |
FW | Moise Nyarugabo | 3 June 2002 | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
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 | 2 August 1998 | 5 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
MF | Gilbert Ishimwe | 10 October 2000 | 2 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
FW | Dominique Savio Nshuti | 1 January 1997 | 38 | 3 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
FW | Muhadjiri Hakizimana | 13 August 1994 | 32 | 7 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
FW | Gerard Gohou | 29 December 1988 | 3 | 1 | Free agent | v. ![]() |
|
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 | |
![]() ![]() |
Part of ![]() |
Part of ![]() | |||||||||||||
![]() ![]() |
Did not enter | Declined participation | |||||||||||||
![]() |
Withdrew | Withdrew | |||||||||||||
![]() |
Did not enter | Declined participation | |||||||||||||
![]() |
Did not qualify | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 5 | ||||||||
![]() ![]() |
2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | |||||||||
![]() |
12 | 2 | 3 | 7 | 10 | 17 | |||||||||
![]() |
10 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 8 | 11 | |||||||||
![]() |
8 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 13 | |||||||||
![]() |
2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 4 | |||||||||
![]() |
8 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 12 | 9 | |||||||||
![]() ![]() ![]() |
To be determined | To be determined | |||||||||||||
Total | 0/22 | 44 | 8 | 10 | 26 | 41 | 63 |
Africa Cup of Nations
|
African Nations Championship
|
CECAFA Cup
References
- "The FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking". FIFA. 21 September 2023. Retrieved 21 September 2023.
- "Rwanda's football mercenaries". BBC Sport. BBC. 28 January 2004. Archived from the original on 17 July 2013. Retrieved 18 January 2013.
- "Rwanda snatch dramatic point". BBC Sport. BBC. 28 January 2004. Archived from the original on 17 July 2013. Retrieved 18 January 2013.
- "Rwanda dumped out". BBC Sport. BBC. 31 January 2004. Archived from the original on 10 February 2018. Retrieved 18 January 2013.
- "Rwanda football shirt 1994 – 1996". oldfootballshirts.com. 14 December 2011. Archived from the original on 11 August 2016. Retrieved 19 June 2016.
- "Member Association – Rwanda". FIFA.com. FIFA. Archived from the original on 6 July 2007. Retrieved 19 June 2016.
- "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.
- "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.
- "Final Squad". Instagram. ferwafa.
- "Amavubi Stars". Instagram. @ferwafa. Archived from the original on 11 March 2023. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
- "Rwanda". National Football Teams.
External links
![](../I/Commons-logo.svg.png.webp)