Rwanda national football team

Rwanda
Nickname(s)Amavubi (The Wasps)
AssociationRwanda Football Federation
ConfederationCAF (Africa)
Sub-confederationCECAFA (East Africa)
Head coachCarlos Alós Ferrer[1]
CaptainHaruna Niyonzima
Most capsHaruna Niyonzima (107)
Top scorerOlivier Karekezi (24)
Home stadiumStade Amahoro, Nyamirambo Regional Stadium
FIFA codeRWA
First colours
Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current 136 (31 March 2022)[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]

Recent results

2021
24 March 2021 (2021-03-24) 2021 AFCONQ Rwanda  1–0  Mozambique Kigali, Rwanda
15:00 UTC+2 Byiringiro 70' Report Stadium: Stade Régional Nyamirambo
Referee: Issa Sy (Senegal)
30 March 2021 (2021-03-30) 2021 AFCONQ Cameroon  0–0  Rwanda Douala, Cameroon
20:00 UTC+1 Report Stadium: Japoma Stadium
Referee: Mohamed Ali Moussa (Niger)
4 June 2021 FIFA Friendly Rwanda  2–0  Central African Republic Kigali
16:00 UTC+2
Report Stadium: Stade Amahoro
Referee: Anthony Ogwayo (Kenya)
7 June 2021 FIFA Friendly Rwanda  5-0  Central African Republic Kigali, Rwanda
 Stadium: Amahoro Stadium
1 September 2021 2022 World Cup qualification Mali  1–0  Rwanda Mali
5 September 2021 2022 World Cup qualification Rwanda  1–1  Kenya Rwanda
7 October 2021 2022 World Cup qualification Rwanda  0–1  Uganda Kigali, Rwanda
18:00 UTC+2 Report Bayo 41' Stadium: Nyamirambo Regional Stadium
Referee: Joshua Bondo (Botswana)
10 October 2021 2022 World Cup qualification Uganda  1–0  Rwanda Entebbe, Uganda
 Report Stadium: St. Mary's Stadium-Kitende
Referee: Haythem Guirat (Tunisia)
11 November 2021 2022 World Cup qualification Rwanda  0–3  Mali Kigali, Rwanda
Report
Stadium: Nyamirambo Regional Stadium
Referee: Hélder Martins de Carvalho (Angola)
15 November 2021 2022 World Cup qualification Kenya  2–1  Rwanda Nairobi, Kenya
16:00 UTC+3
Report
Stadium: Nyayo National Stadium
Referee: Celso Alvação (Mozambique)

2022
3 January Friendly Rwanda  3–0  Guinea Kigali, Rwanda
16:00 UTC+2 Hakizimana 22'
Usengimana 47'
Muhozi 72'		 Report (FERWAFA) Stadium: Amahoro Stadium
Referee: Georges Gatogato (Burundi)
6 January Friendly Rwanda  0–2  Guinea Kigali, Rwanda
16:00 UTC+2 Report Bayo 27'
N. Keïta 35'		 Stadium: Amahoro Stadium
Referee: Georges Gatogato (Burundi)

Coaching history

Players

Current squad

The following 26 players were called up for the international friendly matches against Uganda and South Korea on 18 and 21 January 2022 respectively.[11]

Caps and goals are correct as of 6 January 2022, after the match against Guinea.

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1 1GK Fiacre Ntwari (1999-12-17) 17 December 1999 2 0 AS Kigali
18 1GK Adolphe Hakizimana (2002-02-05) 5 February 2002 1 0 Rayon Sports
23 1GK Jean Pierre Ishimwe (2002-06-16) 16 June 2002 1 0 APR
15 2DF Faustin Usengimana (1993-11-06) 6 November 1993 33 0 Police
3 2DF Eric Rutanga (1992-11-03) 3 November 1992 18 1 Police
17 2DF Eric Ngendahimana (1989-12-01) 1 December 1989 1 0 Kiyovu Sports
2 2DF Ali Serumogo (1995-01-01) 1 January 1995 3 0 Kiyovu Sports
12 2DF Thierry Ndayishimiye (1995-03-10) 10 March 1995 0 0 Kiyovu Sports
13 2DF Claude Niyomugabo (1998-08-02) 2 August 1998 2 0 APR
4 2DF Prince Buregeya (1999-10-17) 17 October 1999 1 0 APR
5 2DF Clement Niyigena (2001-02-17) 17 February 2001 1 0 Rayon Sports
2DF Marc Nkubana 0 0 Gasogi United
10 3MF Muhadjiri Hakizimana (1994-08-13) 13 August 1994 28 7 Police FC
11 3MF Kevin Muhire (1998-10-17) 17 October 1998 21 0 Rayon Sports
3MF Djabel Manishimwe (1998-05-10) 10 May 1998 15 0 APR
6 3MF Blaise Nishimwe (1998-01-08) 8 January 1998 6 0 Rayon Sports
22 3MF Jean Bosco Ruboneka (1999-01-01) 1 January 1999 4 0 APR
21 3MF Bonheur Mugisha 2 0 APR
8 3MF Janvier Benedata (1995-08-12) 12 August 1995 2 0 Kiyovu Sports
7 3MF René Assouman Joeffrey (2002-12-11) 11 December 2002 1 0 Hillerød Fodbold
16 4FW Ernest Sugira (1991-03-27) 27 March 1991 36 12 AS Kigali
9 4FW Danny Usengimana (1996-03-10) 10 March 1996 15 1 APR
14 4FW Lague Byiringiro (2000-10-25) 25 October 2000 9 1 APR
19 4FW Yves Mugunga (1997-05-01) 1 May 1997 4 1 APR
20 4FW Fred Muhozi (1999-04-11) 11 April 1999 2 1 Espoir FC
4FW Cédric Mugenzi 0 0 Kiyovu Sports

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 Emery Mvuyekure (1989-05-13) 13 May 1989 8 0 Tusker v.  Kenya; 15 November 2021
GK Clement Twizere Buhake (1996-07-09) 9 July 1996 1 0 Strømmen v.  Kenya; 15 November 2021
GK Jean-Luc Ndayishimiye (1988-06-15) 15 June 1988 64 0 AS Kigali 2022 WCQ matches; November 2021 PRE
GK Olivier Kwizera (1995-07-30) 30 July 1995 17 0 Rayon Sports v.  Cameroon; 30 March 2021
DF Salomon Nirisarike (1993-11-23) 23 November 1993 31 0 FC Urartu v.  Kenya; 15 November 2021
DF Thierry Manzi (1996-07-12) 12 July 1996 30 3 Dila Gori v.  Kenya; 15 November 2021
DF Denis Rukundo (1996-12-12) 12 December 1996 4 0 Police FC v.  Kenya; 15 November 2021
DF Emmanuel Imanishimwe SUS (1995-02-02) 2 February 1995 31 0 FAR Rabat v.  Mali; 11 November 2021
DF Fitina Omborenga (1996-05-20) 20 May 1996 47 1 APR v.  Uganda; 10 October 2021
DF Eric Iradukunda (1990-03-17) 17 March 1990 15 0 Police v.  Uganda; 10 October 2021
DF Ange Mutsinzi (1997-11-15) 15 November 1997 8 0 Trofense v.  Uganda; 10 October 2021
DF Emery Bayisenge (1994-03-28) 28 March 1994 48 1 AS Kigali v.  Uganda; 7 October 2021PRE
DF Abdul Rwatubyaye (1996-10-23) 23 October 1996 26 1 Shkupi v.  Kenya; 5 September 2021
DF Hassan Rugirayabo (1992-03-15) 15 March 1992 0 0 AS Kigali v.  Cameroon; 30 March 2021
MF Olivier Niyonzima (1993-01-01) 1 January 1993 21 1 APR v.  Kenya; 15 November 2021
MF Bryan Ngwabije (1998-05-30) 30 May 1998 3 0 SC Lyon v.  Kenya; 15 November 2021
MF Keddy Nsanzimfura (2003-08-01) 1 August 2003 0 0 APR v.  Kenya; 15 November 2021
MF Haruna Niyonzima (1990-02-05) 5 February 1990 110 6 Young Africans v.  Mali; 11 November 2021
MF Djihad Bizimana SUS (1996-12-12) 12 December 1996 41 1 K.M.S.K. Deinze v.  Mali; 11 November 2021
MF York Rafael (1999-03-17) 17 March 1999 2 0 AFC Eskilstuna v.  Mali; 11 November 2021
MF Jean-Philippe Rutabayiro (1994-08-29) 29 August 1994 0 0 SD Lenense 2022 WCQ matches; November 2021 PRE
MF Yannick Mukunzi (1995-10-02) 2 October 1995 37 4 Sandviken v.  Uganda; 10 October 2021
FW Bertrand Iradukunda (1996-09-25) 25 September 1996 5 0 Gasogi United v.  Uganda; 7 October 2021PRE
MF Martin Twizeyimana (1996-11-10) 10 November 1996 2 0 Police v.  Uganda; 7 October 2021PRE
MF Samuel Gueulette (2000-05-19) 19 May 2000 0 0 Roeselare v.  Central African Republic; 4 June 2021
MF Steve Rubanguka (1996-10-14) 14 October 1996 0 0 Karaiskakis v.  Cameroon; 30 March 2021
FW Dominique Savio Nshuti (1997-01-01) 1 January 1997 32 3 Police v.  Kenya; 15 November 2021
FW Innocent Nshuti (1998-01-31) 31 January 1998 7 2 APR v.  Kenya; 15 November 2021
FW Alain Kwitonda (1997-10-05) 5 October 1997 1 0 Bugesera 2022 WCQ matches; November 2021 PRE
FW Bienvenu Mugenzi (1993-11-08) 8 November 1993 0 0 APR 2022 WCQ matches; November 2021 PRE
FW Dominique Ndayishimiye (1996-07-20) 20 July 1996 0 0 Police 2022 WCQ matches; November 2021 PRE
FW Jacques Tuyisenge (1991-09-22) 22 September 1991 52 15 APR v.  Uganda; 10 October 2021
FW Meddie Kagere (1986-10-10) 10 October 1986 46 15 Simba v.  Uganda; 10 October 2021

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 30 March 2021[12]
Players in bold are still active with Rwanda.

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
1930 to 1962 Part of  Belgium Part of  Belgium
1966 to 1986 Did not enter Declined participation
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 8215129
2026 To be determined To be determined
Total 0/22 44 8 10 26 41 63

CECAFA Cup record
Main article: CECAFA Cup
CECAFA Cup record
Appearances: 21
Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA
1973Did not enter
1974
1975
1976
1977
1978
1979Group stage6th201115
1980Champions1st430152
1981Group stage7th302124
19826th200203
19835th421143
1984Did not enter
1985
1987
1988
1989
1990Runners-up2nd421153
1991Fourth place4th401339
1992Did not enter
1994
1995
1996Third place3rd412166
1999Quarter-finals8th302114
2000Did not enter
2001
2002Group stage6th411245
2003Fourth place4th421182
2004Third place3rd5311116
2005Group stage6th4202712
2006Champions1st623174
20071st523086
2008Group stage6th412132
2009Did not enter
2010Group stage10th301205
2011Third place3rd633063
2012Group stage9th310213
2013Runners-up2nd640284
2015Fourth place4th621374
2017Did not enter
2019
2021
Total3 Titles21/39863127338761

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. 31 March 2022. Retrieved 31 March 2022.
  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 to play international friendlies against Guinea". www.ferwafa.rw. Rwanda Football Federation. 29 December 2021.
  12. "Rwanda". National Football Teams.
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