Rwanda's national football team players, coach, world rankings, nickname

Football in Rwanda has gained popularity over the years, attracting millions of followers keen on the latest development in the sport. The Federation Rwandaise of Football Association controls and manages all football-related activities, including Rwanda's national football team, the Amavubi. Learn more about their history, achievements, and much more.

Rwanda's football has developed right from grassroots to the national level. As a result, the country has produced many talents who have played for the national team. The Amavubi have also participated in regional and continental competitions with considerable success. So, what is their current form? Are they playing in Afcon?

Profile summary

• Full name: Rwanda national football team
• Nickname: Amavubi (The Wasps)
• Founded: 1972
• Controlled by: Federation Rwandaise of Football Association (FERWAFA)
• Confederation: CAF
• Affiliated to FIFA: 1978
• FIFA code: RWA
• Colours: Blue, yellow
• Coach: Vincent Mashami
• FIFA ranking: 135 (as of December 2021)
• Stadium: Stade Amahoro, Kigali

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Football

What is Rwanda's favourite sport?

Football is the most popular team sport in Rwanda. It is widely used as a symbol of unity to engage people in peace and harmony. Rwanda's national football team's nickname, the Amavumbi, is a Kinyarwanda word meaning the wasps. Their kits even resemble the colour of a wasp.

Although they have not achieved much in African football, the Amavubi remain one of the best in the East African region. However, they have never qualified for any FIFA World Cup event.

CECAFA history

CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup is among the oldest football tournaments in Africa. It is a competition featuring Eastern African countries and part of Central Africa. The Amavubi have featured in CECAFA numerous times but winning only once (1999). On the other hand, they have finished as runners-up on five different occasions (2003, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2011).

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Afcon record

Rwanda's national football team in Afcon history is something their loyal fans would love to forget. They have only played the tournament once (2004) in their history and did not qualify to the knockout stage. The team finished third in Group A, where they lost 1-0 to Tunisia before drawing 1-1 with Guinea and beating DR Congo 1-0 in their final game.

In 2014, the team was disqualified from the 2015 Afcon for fielding an ineligible player against DR Congo. The Amavubi had qualified for the competition, only for the decision to ruin their dreams of playing their second Afcon tournament.

Recent fixtures

The Amavubi lost to Guinea in their last match as their opponents prepared for Afcon. However, they have only won one game in their past few contests.

• Rwanda 0-2 Guinea (3-2 aggregate)
• Kenya 2-1 Rwanda (World Cup qualifier)
• Rwanda 0-3 Mali (World Cup qualifier)
• Uganda 1-0 Rwanda (World Cup qualifier)

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Rwanda's national football team players

How many Rwanda football players do you know? Not many people can name the Amavubi squad because most of their players are not recognised globally. Most of them play in domestic or African leagues. Top striker Jacques Tuyisenge is Rwanda's national football team captain. Let's look at Rwanda's national team squad 2021/22.

Goalkeepers

• Ali Serumogo
• Clément Niyigena
• Jamir Kalisa
• Clement Twizere
• Eric Ndayishimiye
• Emery Mvuyekure

Defenders

• Abdul Rwatubyaye
• Salomon Nirisarike
• Ange Mutsinzi
• Thierry Manzi
• Emmanuel Imanishimwe
• Christian Ishimwe
• Eric Rutanga
• Fitina Omborenga
• Denis Rukundo

Midfielders

• Yannick Mukunzi
• Sefu Niyonzima
• Haruna Niyonzima
• Blaise Nishimwe
• York Rafael
• Kevin Muhire
• Djabel Manishimwe

Strikers

• Muhadjiri Hakizimana
• Meddie Kagere
• Bertrand Iradukunda
• Jacques Tuyisenge

Who is Amavubi's coach?

Vincent Mashami was appointed Amavubi coach in August 2019 to steer the country to Afcon greatness. However, he failed in the mission and even missed out on the 2022 World Cup.

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Amavubi jerseys

The team's kit consists of a yellow jersey, blue shorts and green socks for home games. For away matches, they wear either all white or all blue. In 2001, the team changed its kits to match the new-look national flag.

Rwanda national football team world rankings

According to the latest FIFA ranking, the team ranks 135 globally and 39 in Africa. Their highest-ever ranking was 64 on 12 March 2015, while their lowest was 178 on 12 July 1999.

Missing out on the 2021 Afcon in Cameroon was a massive blow to Rwanda's national football team and their fans. However, with the new crop of a young generation emerging, they hope to turn things around.

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