Olivier Kwizera

Olivier Kwizera (born 30 July 1995) is a Rwandan professional footballer who plays as goalkeeper for Saudi Arabian club Al-Kawkab.

Olivier Kwizera

Personal information
Date of birth	(1995-07-30) 30 July 1995 (age 29)
Place of birth	Kigali, Rwanda
Height	1.76 m (5 ft 9 in)[1]
Position(s)	Goalkeeper
Team information
Current team	Al-Kawkab
Number	99
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2011–2013	Isonga
2013–2016	APR FC
2016–2017	Bugesera
2017–2019	Free State Stars	2	(0)
2018	→ Mthatha Bucks (loan)	11	(0)
2020–2022	Gasogi United
2022–	Al-Kawkab
International career
2015	Rwanda U23
2012–	Rwanda	10	(0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Club career

South Africa

Back in 2016, Kwizera almost signed for Maritzburg United of the South African Premier Division^[2] after being let go by APR FC.^[3]

Impressing in a trial for Free State Stars,^[4][5] the Kitale native was officially signed by the club in summer 2017 after getting his FIFA players intermediaries license, effectively becoming the first Rwandan goalkeeper to have played in South Africa.^[6] He left the club at the end of the 2018–19 season.^{[citation needed]}

Back to Rwanda

Kwizera was without club until 27 December 2019, where he signed a six-month deal with newly promoted Rwanda Premier League club, Gasogi United Heroes FC.^[7]

Saudi Arabia

In September 2022, Kwizera joined Saudi Second Division side Al-Kawkab.^[8]

International career

The goalkeeper was unavailable for the 2015 Africa U-23 Cup of Nations second leg qualifier opposing Uganda on account of a debilitating wound on his right ankle.^[9]

References

1. Olivier Kwizera at WorldFootball.net
2. "Maritzburg United close in on Olivier Kwizera". Goal.com. 10 July 2016. Retrieved 2 October 2017.
3. "www.newtimes.co.rw/section/read/202313/". Newtimes.co.rw. 4 August 2016. Retrieved 28 September 2017.
4. "Free State Stars coach Sammy Troughton still assessing Olivier Kwizera and Badra Ali Sangare". Kickoff.com. 19 July 2017. Retrieved 2 October 2017.
5. "Free State Stars To Make Decision On Rwandan Goalkeeper". Soccerladuma.co.za. 17 July 2017. Retrieved 2 October 2017.
6. Muhinde, Jejje (17 September 2017). "Goalie Kwizera signs two-year contract with Free State Stars". Newtimes.co.rw. Retrieved 2 October 2017.
7. Kwizera Olivier yasinyiye Gasogi United, rwandamagazine.com, 27 December 2019
8. "Kwizera Olivier yisanze mu cyiciro cya gatatu".
9. "Kwizera out of Uganda tie". Supersport.com. Retrieved 2 October 2017.