Rwanda national football team

Rwanda
Shirt badge/Association crest
Nickname(s)Amavubi (The Wasps)
AssociationRwanda Football Federation
ConfederationCAF (Africa)
Sub-confederationCECAFA (East Africa)
Head coachCarlos Alós[1]
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 135 Increase 2 (6 April 2023)[2]
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
This article is about the men's team. For the women's team, see Rwanda women's 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.

History

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

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.[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

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

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
2 June 2023 AFCON qualification Mozambique  1–1  Rwanda Johannesburg, South Africa
18:00
  • Ratifo 67'
 Report
  • Nishimwe 65'
 Stadium: FNB Stadium
Referee: Bamlak Tessema Weyesa (Ethiopia)
7 June 2023 AFCON qualification Rwanda  0–1  Senegal Dakar, Senegal
21:00 UTC+2 Report
Stadium: Diamniadio Olympic Stadium
Referee: Jean-Jacques Ndala (Congo DR)
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  1–1  Benin Kigali, Rwanda
15:00 UTC+2
Report
Stadium: Kigali Pelé Stadium
Referee: Abdulkadir Artan (Somalia)
12 June 2023 AFCON qualification Rwanda  v  Mozambique Kigali, Rwanda
Stadium: Kigali Pelé Stadium
4 September 2023 AFCON qualification Senegal  v  Rwanda Dakar, Senegal
Stadium: Diamniadio Olympic Stadium

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.[11]

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 FAR Rabat
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 Belgium Deinze
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 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 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
GK Yves Kimenyi (1992-10-13) 13 October 1992 13 0 Rwanda Kiyovu Sports v.  Senegal, 7 June 2022
DF Claude Niyomugabo (1998-08-02) 2 August 1998 5 0 Rwanda APR v.  Sudan, 19 November 2022
DF Salomon Nirisarike (1993-11-23) 23 November 1993 35 0 Free agent v.  Senegal, 7 June 2022
DF Prince Buregeya (1999-10-17) 17 October 1999 1 0 Rwanda APR v.  Senegal, 7 June 2022
DF Thierry Ndayishimiye (1995-03-10) 10 March 1995 1 0 Rwanda Kiyovu Sports v.  Senegal, 7 June 2022
MF Gilbert Ishimwe (2000-10-10) 10 October 2000 2 0 Sweden Örebro Syrianska v.  Sudan, 19 November 2022
MF Djabel Manishimwe (1998-05-10) 10 May 1998 16 0 Rwanda APR v.  Senegal, 7 June 2022
MF Blaise Nishimwe (1998-01-08) 8 January 1998 11 1 Rwanda Rayon Sports v.  Senegal, 7 June 2022
MF Jean Bosco Ruboneka (1999-01-01) 1 January 1999 7 0 Rwanda APR v.  Senegal, 7 June 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
FW Danny Usengimana (1996-03-10) 10 March 1996 15 1 Rwanda APR v.  Senegal, 7 June 2022
FW Lague Byiringiro (2000-10-25) 25 October 2000 9 1 Rwanda APR v.  Senegal, 7 June 2022
FW Yves Mugunga (1997-05-01) 1 May 1997 6 1 Rwanda APR v.  Senegal, 7 June 2022
FW Dominique Ndayishimiye (1996-07-20) 20 July 1996 1 0 Rwanda Police v.  Senegal, 7 June 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 27 March 2023[12]
Players in bold are still active with Rwanda.

Most capped players
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 Meddie Kagere 59 15 2011–present
Fitina Omborenga 59 1 2013–present
Jacques Tuyisenge 59 16 2011–present
9 Djihad Bizimana 50 1 2015–present
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 32 0.22 2016–present

Competition records

FIFA World Cup record
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 record
Main article: CECAFA Cup

Honours

See also

References
  1. "Rwanda national team: Vincent Mashami named as new coach of Amavubi". BBC Sport. 18 August 2018.
  2. "The FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking". FIFA. 6 April 2023. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
  3. "Rwanda's football mercenaries". BBC Sport. BBC. 28 January 2004. Retrieved 18 January 2013.
  4. "Rwanda snatch dramatic point". BBC Sport. BBC. 28 January 2004. Retrieved 18 January 2013.
  5. "Rwanda dumped out". BBC Sport. BBC. 31 January 2004. Retrieved 18 January 2013.
  6. "Rwanda football shirt 1994 – 1996". oldfootballshirts.com. 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. Retrieved 19 June 2016.
  9. "Rwanda's Amavumbi Stars invite Uganda Cranes on Feb 6th". starafrica.com. 2 February 2013. Retrieved 19 June 2016.
  10. Sikubwabo, Damas (29 March 2022). "Carlos Alos Ferrer is new Amavubi head coach". The New Times.
  11. "Amavubi Stars". Instagram. @ferwafa. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
  12. "Rwanda". National Football Teams.
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