Rwanda national football team facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Rwanda

Nickname(s)	Amavubi (The Wasps)
Association	Rwanda Football Federation
Confederation	CAF (Africa)
Sub-confederation	CECAFA (East Africa)
Head coach	Torsten Spittler
Captain	Bizimana Djihad
Most caps	Haruna Niyonzima (112)
Top scorer	Olivier Karekezi (24)
Home stadium	Amahoro Stadium
FIFA code	RWA
First colours Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current	135 2 (7 February 2019)
Highest	64 (March 2015)
Lowest	178 (July 1999)
Elo ranking
Current	144 8 (3 March 2019)
Highest	95 (October 2008)
Lowest	150 (July 1996)
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
Appearances	1 (first in 2004)
Best result	Group stage (2004)
Afro-Asian Games
Appearances	1 (first in 2003)
Best result	Fourth place (2003)

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 ever Africa Cup of Nations in the 2004 edition. 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. 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.

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. 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. 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).

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

2023

2026 World Cup qualification 15 November	Rwanda	0–0	Zimbabwe	Butare, Rwanda
15:00 UTC+2		https://www.fifa.com/fifaplus/en/match-centre/match/520/288282/288289/400017591		Stadium: Stade Huye Attendance: 10,000 Referee: Mohamed Ali Moussa (Niger)

2026 World Cup qualification 21 November	Rwanda	2–0	South Africa	Butare, Rwanda
15:00 UTC+2	Nshuti  12' Mugisha  28'	https://www.fifa.com/fifaplus/en/match-centre/match/520/288282/288289/400017590		Stadium: Stade Huye Referee: Amin Omar (Egypt)

2024

Friendly 22 March	Botswana	0–0	Rwanda	Antananarivo, Madagascar
		https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2024/03/22/world/friendlies/botswana/rwanda/4333088/		Stadium: Mahamasina Municipal Stadium

Friendly 25 March	Madagascar	0–2	Rwanda	Antananarivo, Madagascar
16:00 UTC+3		https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2024/03/25/world/friendlies/rwanda/madagascar/4334664/		Stadium: Mahamasina Municipal Stadium

2026 World Cup qualification 6 June	Benin	1–0	Rwanda	Abidjan, Ivory Coast
19:00 UTC±0	Dokou  37'	https://www.fifa.com/fifaplus/en/match-centre/match/520/288282/288289/400018178		Stadium: Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium Attendance: 3,600 Referee: Dahane Beida (Mauritania)

2026 World Cup qualification 11 June	Lesotho	0–1	Rwanda	Durban, South Africa
18:00 UTC+2		https://www.fifa.com/fifaplus/en/match-centre/match/520/288282/288289/400018174	Kwizera  67'	Stadium: Moses Mabhida Stadium Attendance: 2,000 Referee: Aklesso Gnama (Togo)

2025 AFCON qualification 4 September	Libya	1–1	Rwanda	Tripoli, Libya
18:00 UTC+2	Al-Dhawi  16'	https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2024/09/04/africa/africa-cup-of-nations-qualification/libya/rwanda/4406356/	Nshuti  47'	Stadium: Tripoli Stadium Referee: Imtehaz Heeralall (Mauritius)

2025 AFCON qualification 10 September	Rwanda	0–0	Nigeria	Kigali, Rwanda
17:00 UTC+2		https://www.cafonline.com/caf-africa-cup-of-nations/match-centre?competition=601&season=2024&match=2459885		Stadium: Amahoro Stadium Referee: Karim Sabry (Morocco)

2025 AFCON qualification 11 October	Benin	3–0	Rwanda	Abidjan, Ivory Coast
16:00 UTC±0	Mounié  50' Hountondji  67' Imourane  70'	https://www.cafonline.com/caf-africa-cup-of-nations/match-centre?competition=601&season=2024&match=2459887		Stadium: Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium Referee: Lyes Bekouassa (Algeria)

2025 AFCON qualification 15 October	Rwanda	2–1	Benin	Kigali, Rwanda
18:00 UTC+2				Stadium: Amahoro Stadium Referee: Andofetra Rakotojaona (Madagascar)

2025 AFCON qualification 10 November	Rwanda	0–1	Libya	Kigali, Rwanda
--:-- UTC+2			Mohamed  84'	Stadium: Amahoro Stadium

2025 AFCON qualification 18 November	Nigeria	v	Rwanda

Coaching history

Caretaker managers are listed in italics.

Players

Current squad

The following players were called up for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualification matches against Libya and Nigeria on 4 and 10 September 2024.

Caps and goals correct as of 10 September 2024, after the match against  Nigeria.

No.	Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club
	1GK	Fiacre Ntwari	(1999-09-25) 25 September 1999 (age 25)	19	0	TS Galaxy
	1GK	Adolphe Hakizimana	(2002-02-05) 5 February 2002 (age 22)	1	0	Rayon Sports
	1GK	Maxime Wenssens	(2001-11-17) 17 November 2001 (age 23)	1	0	free agent
	2DF	Fitina Omborenga	(1996-05-20) 20 May 1996 (age 28)	69	1	APR
	2DF	Thierry Manzi	(1996-07-12) 12 July 1996 (age 28)	48	4	AS Kigali
	2DF	Ange Mutsinzi	(1997-11-15) 15 November 1997 (age 27)	26	0	Zira
	2DF	Jean Claude Niyomugabo	(1998-08-02) 2 August 1998 (age 26)	10	0	APR
	2DF	Aimable Nsabimana	(1997-06-06) 6 June 1997 (age 27)	8	0	Kiyovu Sports
	2DF	Clement Niyigena	(2001-02-17) 17 February 2001 (age 23)	6	0	APR
	2DF	Christian Ishimwe	(1999-02-01) 1 February 1999 (age 25)	4	0	APR
	2DF	Gilbert Byiringiro	(2000-07-01) 1 July 2000 (age 24)	0	0	APR
	2DF	Yunusu Nshimiyimana	(2001-12-31) 31 December 2001 (age 22)	0	0	APR
	3MF	Djihad Bizimana	(1996-12-12) 12 December 1996 (age 28)	58	2	Kryvbas Kryvyi Rih
	3MF	Kevin Muhire	(1998-10-17) 17 October 1998 (age 26)	37	0	Rayon Sports
	3MF	Bonheur Mugisha	(2000-01-01) 1 January 2000 (age 24)	13	0	AS Marsa
	3MF	Jean Bosco Ruboneka	(1999-01-01) 1 January 1999 (age 25)	11	0	APR
	3MF	Steve Rubanguka	(1996-10-14) 14 October 1996 (age 28)	8	0	Al-Nojoom
	3MF	Samuel Gueulette	(2000-05-19) 19 May 2000 (age 24)	5	0	RAAL La Louvière
	3MF	Jojea Kwizera	(1999-01-01) 1 January 1999 (age 25)	4	1	Rhode Island
	4FW	Innocent Nshuti	(1998-01-31) 31 January 1998 (age 26)	19	4	One Knoxville
	4FW	Gilbert Mugisha	(1996-07-18) 18 July 1996 (age 28)	13	3	APR
	4FW	Arthur Gitego	(2002-01-01) 1 January 2002 (age 22)	6	0	Marines
	4FW	Didier Mugisha	(2001-01-26) 26 January 2001 (age 23)	3	0	Police
	4FW	Hadji Iraguha	(1998-07-18) 18 July 1998 (age 26)	2	0	Rayon Sports
	4FW	Olivier Dushimimana	(2000-04-10) 10 April 2000 (age 24)	0	0	APR

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	Gad Muhawenayo	(1995-11-30) 30 November 1995 (age 29)	0	0	Musanze Butare	v.  Madagascar; 25 March 2024
GK	Jimmy Djihad Nzeyurwanda		0	0	Kiyovu Sports	v.  South Africa; 21 November 2023
DF	Emmanuel Imanishimwe	(1995-02-02) 2 February 1995 (age 29)	46	0	AS FAR	v.  Lesotho; 11 June 2024
DF	Isaac Mitima	(1997-12-16) 16 December 1997 (age 27)	1	0	Rayon Sports	v.  Madagascar; 25 March 2024
DF	Abdul Rwatubyaye	(1996-10-23) 23 October 1996 (age 28)	33	3	Rayon Sports	v.  South Africa; 21 November 2023
DF	Ali Serumogo	(1995-01-01) 1 January 1995 (age 29)	13	0	Kiyovu Sports	v.  South Africa; 21 November 2023
MF	Hakim Sahabo	(2005-06-16) 16 June 2005 (age 19)	10	0	Standard Liège	v.  Lesotho; 11 June 2024
MF	Olivier Niyonzima	(1993-01-01) 1 January 1993 (age 31)	27	3	Kiyovu Sports	v.  Madagascar; 25 March 2024
MF	Lague Byiringiro	(2000-10-25) 25 October 2000 (age 24)	13	1	Sandvikens IF	v.  Madagascar; 25 March 2024
MF	Elie Tatou Iradukunda	(2006-10-01) 1 October 2006 (age 18)	1	0	Mukura Victory Sports	v.  South Africa; 21 November 2023
MF	Froduard Mugiraneza	(1997-01-01) 1 January 1997 (age 27)	0	0	Kiyovu Sports	v.  South Africa; 21 November 2023
FW	Patrick Sibomana	(1996-10-15) 15 October 1996 (age 28)	19	2	Gor Mahia	v.  Lesotho; 11 June 2024
FW	York Rafael	(1999-03-17) 17 March 1999 (age 25)	11	0	Gefle	v.  Lesotho; 11 June 2024
FW	Yves Mugunga	(1997-05-01) 1 May 1997 (age 27)	6	1	Kiyovu Sports	v.  South Africa; 21 November 2023
FW	Bienvenu Mugenzi	(1993-11-08) 8 November 1993 (age 31)	5	0	Police	v.  South Africa; 21 November 2023
FW	Alain Kwitonda	(1997-10-05) 5 October 1997 (age 27)	1	0	APR	v.  South Africa; 21 November 2023
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

Players in bold are still active with Rwanda.

Most appearances

Top goalscorers

Competition records

FIFA World Cup

FIFA World Cup record										Qualification record
Year	Round	Position	Pld	W	D*	L	GF	GA		Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA
1978	Not a FIFA member									Not a FIFA member
1982	Did not enter									Declined participation
1986
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										8	2	1	5	12	9
2026	To be determined									4	2	1	1	3	1
2030										To be determined
2034
Total		0/11								48	10	11	27	44	64

Africa Cup of Nations Africa Cup of Nations record Appearances: 1 Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA 1957 to 1962 Part of  Belgium 1963 to 1976 Not affiliated to CAF 1978 to 1980 Did not enter 1982 to 1984 Did not qualify 1986 Did not enter 1988 Withdrew 1990 to 1998 Did not enter 2000 to 2002 Did not qualify 2004 Group stage 9th 3 1 1 1 3 3 2006 to 2013 Did not qualify 2015 Disqualified 2017 to 2023 Did not qualify 2025 To be determined 2027 Total Group stage 1/34 3 1 1 1 3 3

African Nations Championship African Nations Championship record Appearances: 4 Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA 2009 Did not qualify 2011 Group stage 16th 3 0 0 3 2 7 2014 Did not qualify 2016 Quarter-finals 5th 4 2 0 2 5 7 2018 Group stage 13th 3 1 1 1 1 1 2020 Quarter-finals 7th 4 1 2 1 3 3 2022 Did not qualify Total Quarter-finals 4/7 14 4 3 7 11 18

CECAFA Cup

Honours

Regional

• CECAFA Cup
  • Winners (1): 1999
  • Runners-up (6): 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2015
  • Third place (4): 1999, 2001, 2002, 2006

See also

In Spanish: Selección de fútbol de Ruanda para niños

• Rwanda national under-17 football team