Rwanda national football team

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.

Rwanda

Nickname(s)	Amavubi (The Wasps)
Association	Rwanda Football Federation
Confederation	CAF (Africa)
Sub-confederation	CECAFA (East Africa)
Head coach	Adel Amrouche
Captain	Djihad Bizimana
Most caps	Haruna Niyonzima (112)
Top scorer	Olivier Karekezi (24)
Home stadium	Amahoro Stadium
FIFA code	RWA
First colours Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current	130 6 (3 April 2025)[1]
Highest	64 (March 2015)
Lowest	178 (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
Appearances	1 (first in 2004)
Best result	Group stage (2004)
Afro-Asian Games
Appearances	1 (first in 2003)
Best result	Fourth place (2003)

History

Rwanda qualified for its first ever 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

Jean-Claude Iranzi played numerous matches for the national football team of Rwanda

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

2024

Botswana  v  Rwanda

22 March Friendly	Botswana	0–0	Rwanda	Antananarivo, Madagascar
16:00 UTC+3		Report		Stadium: Mahamasina Municipal Stadium

Madagascar  v  Rwanda

25 March Friendly	Madagascar	0–2	Rwanda	Antananarivo, Madagascar
16:00 UTC+3		Report	Mugisha 29' Bizimana 91'	Stadium: Mahamasina Municipal Stadium

Benin  v  Rwanda

6 June 2026 World Cup qualification	Benin	1–0	Rwanda	Abidjan, Ivory Coast
19:00 UTC+0	Dokou 37'	Report		Stadium: Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium Attendance: 3,600 Referee: Dahane Beida (Mauritania)

Lesotho  v  Rwanda

11 June 2026 World Cup qualification	Lesotho	0–1	Rwanda	Durban, South Africa
18:00 UTC+2		Report	Kwizera 67'	Stadium: Moses Mabhida Stadium Attendance: 2,000 Referee: Aklesso Gnama (Togo)

Libya  v  Rwanda

4 September 2025 AFCON qualification	Libya	1–1	Rwanda	Tripoli, Libya
18:00 UTC+2	Al-Dhawi 16'	Report	Nshuti 47'	Stadium: Tripoli Stadium Referee: Imtehaz Heeralall (Mauritius)

Rwanda  v  Nigeria

10 September 2025 AFCON qualification	Rwanda	0–0	Nigeria	Kigali, Rwanda
17:00 UTC+2		Report		Stadium: Amahoro Stadium Referee: Karim Sabry (Morocco)

Benin  v  Rwanda

11 October 2025 AFCON qualification	Benin	3–0	Rwanda	Abidjan, Ivory Coast
16:00 UTC+0	Mounié 50' Hountondji 67' Imourane 70'	Report		Stadium: Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium Referee: Lyes Bekouassa (Algeria)

Rwanda  v  Benin

15 October 2025 AFCON qualification	Rwanda	2–1	Benin	Kigali, Rwanda
18:00 UTC+2	Nshuti 70' Bizimana 75' (pen.)	Report	Hountondji 42'	Stadium: Amahoro Stadium Referee: Andofetra Rakotojaona (Madagascar)

Djibouti  v  Rwanda

27 October 2024 CHAN qualification	Djibouti	1–0	Rwanda	Kigali, Rwanda
16:00 UTC+2	Dadzie 79'	Report		Stadium: Amahoro Stadium

Rwanda  v  Djibouti

31 October 2024 CHAN qualification	Rwanda	3–0 (3–1 agg.)	Djibouti	Kigali, Rwanda
18:00 UTC+2	Muzungu 11' Muzungu 24' Tuyisenge 90'	Report		Stadium: Amahoro Stadium
Note: Rwanda won 3–1 on aggregate.

Rwanda  v  Libya

10 November 2025 AFCON qualification	Rwanda	0–1	Libya	Kigali, Rwanda
17:00 UTC+2		Report	Mohamed 84'	Stadium: Amahoro Stadium Referee: Celso Alvação (Mozambique)

Nigeria  v  Rwanda

18 November 2025 AFCON qualification	Nigeria	1–2	Rwanda	Uyo, Nigeria
16:00 UTC+1	Chukwueze 59'	Report	Mutsinzi 72' Nshuti 75'	Stadium: Godswill Akpabio International Stadium Referee: Samir Guezzaz (Morocco)

2025

Rwanda  v  Nigeria

21 March 2026 World Cup qualification	Rwanda	0–2	Nigeria	Kigali, Rwanda
18:00 UTC+2		Report (FIFA) Report (CAF)	Osimhen 11', 45+3'	Stadium: Amahoro Stadium Referee: Jalal Jayed (Morocco)

Rwanda  v  Lesotho

25 March 2026 World Cup qualification	Rwanda	1–1	Lesotho	Kigali, Rwanda
18:00 UTC+2		Report (FIFA) Report (CAF)		Stadium: Amahoro Stadium

Nigeria  v  Rwanda

September 2026 World Cup qualification

Nigeria

v

Rwanda

Zimbabwe  v  Rwanda

September 2026 World Cup qualification

Zimbabwe

v

Rwanda

Rwanda  v  Benin

October 2026 World Cup qualification

Rwanda

v

Benin

South Africa  v  Rwanda

October 2026 World Cup qualification

South Africa

v

Rwanda

Coaching history

Carlos Alós became the manager of Rwanda in 2022

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)
• Torsten Spittler (2023–)

Players

Current squad

The following players were called up for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification – CAF Group C matches against  Nigeria and  Lesotho on 21 and 25 March 2025.^[9]

Caps and goals correct as of 25 March 2025, after the match against  Lesotho.

No.	Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club
	1GK	Fiacre Ntwari	(1999-09-25) 25 September 1999 (age 25)	20	0	Kaizer Chiefs
	1GK	Pierre Ishimwe	(2002-06-16) 16 June 2002 (age 22)	3	0	APR
	1GK	Clement Twizere Buhake	(1996-07-09) 9 July 1996 (age 28)	2	0	Ullensaker/Kisa
	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)	60	1	Rayon Sports
	2DF	Thierry Manzi	(1996-07-12) 12 July 1996 (age 28)	40	4	Al Ahli
	2DF	Ange Mutsinzi	(1997-11-15) 15 November 1997 (age 27)	30	1	Zira
	2DF	Claude Niyomugabo	(1998-08-02) 2 August 1998 (age 26)	11	0	APR
	2DF	Clement Niyigena	(2001-02-17) 17 February 2001 (age 24)	5	0	APR
	2DF	Hakim Bugingo	(2001-01-01) 1 January 2001 (age 24)	0	0	Rayon Sports
	2DF	Gilbert Byiringiro	(2000-07-01) 1 July 2000 (age 24)	0	0	APR
	2DF	Yunusu Nshimiyimana	(2001-12-31) 31 December 2001 (age 23)	0	0	APR
	3MF	Djihad Bizimana	(1996-12-12) 12 December 1996 (age 28)	46	3	Al Ahli
	3MF	Kevin Muhire	(1998-10-17) 17 October 1998 (age 26)	36	0	Rayon Sports
	3MF	Djabel Manishimwe	(1998-05-10) 10 May 1998 (age 26)	15	0	Naft Al-Wasat
	3MF	Bonheur Mugisha	(2000-01-01) 1 January 2000 (age 25)	15	0	Stade Tunisien
	3MF	Steve Rubanguka	(1996-10-14) 14 October 1996 (age 28)	12	0	Al-Nojoom
	3MF	Jean Bosco Ruboneka	(1999-01-01) 1 January 1999 (age 26)	12	0	APR
	3MF	Samuel Gueulette	(2000-05-19) 19 May 2000 (age 24)	11	0	RAAL La Louvière
	3MF	Jojea Kwizera	(1999-01-01) 1 January 1999 (age 26)	10	2	Rhode Island
	3MF	York Rafael	(1999-03-17) 17 March 1999 (age 26)	10	0	ZED
	3MF	Hakim Sahabo	(2005-06-16) 16 June 2005 (age 19)	9	0	Beerschot
	4FW	Innocent Nshuti	(1998-01-31) 31 January 1998 (age 27)	18	4	Sabail
	4FW	Gilbert Mugisha	(1996-07-18) 18 July 1996 (age 28)	18	3	APR
	4FW	Didier Mugisha	(2001-01-26) 26 January 2001 (age 24)	3	0	Police
	4FW	Hadji Iraguha	(1998-07-18) 18 July 1998 (age 26)	1	0	Rayon Sports
	4FW	Yves Habimana		0	0	Free agent
	4FW	Anicet Ishimwe	(2003-04-06) 6 April 2003 (age 22)	0	0	Olympique Béja

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	Adolphe Hakizimana	(2002-02-05) 5 February 2002 (age 23)	1	0	Rayon Sports	v.  Nigeria, 10 September 2024
DF	Aimable Nsabimana	(1997-06-06) 6 June 1997 (age 27)	8	0	Kiyovu Sports	v.  Nigeria, 10 September 2024
DF	Christian Ishimwe	(1999-02-01) 1 February 1999 (age 26)	4	0	APR	v.  Nigeria, 10 September 2024
DF	Emmanuel Imanishimwe	(1995-02-02) 2 February 1995 (age 30)	46	0	AEL Limassol	v.  Lesotho; 11 June 2024
FW	Arthur Gitego	(2002-01-01) 1 January 2002 (age 23)	6	0	Marines	v.  Nigeria, 10 September 2024
FW	Olivier Dushimimana	(2000-04-10) 10 April 2000 (age 25)	0	0	APR	v.  Nigeria, 10 September 2024
FW	Patrick Sibomana	(1996-10-15) 15 October 1996 (age 28)	19	2	Gor Mahia	v.  Lesotho; 11 June 2024
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 28 December 2024^[10]

Players in bold are still active with Rwanda.

Most appearances

Rank	Name	Caps	Goals	Career
1	Haruna Niyonzima	112	6	2006–2022
2	Jean-Baptiste Mugiraneza	89	6	2006–2018
3	Jean-Claude Iranzi	76	3	2008–2019
4	Fitina Omborenga	75	1	2013–present
5	Olivier Karekezi	70	24	2000–2013
6	Djihad Bizimana	64	3	2015–present
	Jean-Luc Ndayishimiye	64	0	2007–2019
8	Meddie Kagere	59	15	2011–present
	Jacques Tuyisenge	59	16	2011–2022
10	Thierry Manzi	51	4	2016–present

Top goalscorers

Rank	Name	Goals	Caps	Ratio	Career
1	Olivier Karekezi	24	70	0.34	2000–2013
2	Jacques Tuyisenge	16	59	0.27	2011–2022
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	2015–2022
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	35	0.2	2016–present

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									6	2	2	2	4	4
2030										To be determined
2034
Total		0/11								50	10	12	28	45	67

Africa Cup of Nations Main article: Rwanda at the Africa Cup of Nations Africa Cup of Nations record Appearances: 1 Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA 1957 Part of  Belgium 1959 1962 1963 Not affiliated to CAF 1965 1968 1970 1972 1974 1976 1978 Did not enter 1980 1982 Did not qualify 1984 1986 Did not enter 1988 Withdrew 1990 Did not enter 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 Did not qualify 2002 2004 Group stage 9th 3 1 1 1 3 3 2006 Did not qualify 2008 2010 2012 2013 2015 Disqualified 2017 Did not qualify 2019 2021 2023 2025 2027 To be determined 2029 Total Group stage 1/35 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

Main article: 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

• Rwanda national under-17 football team