# Rwanda 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 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

### 2024
## Coaching history

    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 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.
| 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 23) | 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 24) | 6 | 0 | APR |
| 2DF | Christian Ishimwe | (1999-02-01) 1 February 1999 (age 26) | 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 23) | 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 25) | 13 | 0 | AS Marsa |
| 3MF | Jean Bosco Ruboneka | (1999-01-01) 1 January 1999 (age 26) | 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 26) | 4 | 1 | Rhode Island |
| 4FW | Innocent Nshuti | (1998-01-31) 31 January 1998 (age 27) | 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 23) | 6 | 0 | Marines |
| 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) | 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 30) | 46 | 0 | AEL Limassol | 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 | AP Brera | v. South Africa; 21 November 2023 |
| DF | Ali Serumogo | (1995-01-01) 1 January 1995 (age 30) | 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 32) | 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 28) | 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

    As of 28 December 2024
    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 |
| 6 | Jean-Luc Ndayishimiye | 64 | 0 | 2007–2019 |
| 8 | Meddie Kagere | 59 | 15 | 2011–present |
| 8 | 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 |
| 9 | Muhadjiri Hakizimana | 7 | 35 | 0.2 | 2016–present |

## Competition records
### FIFA World Cup

| FIFA World Cup record | FIFA World Cup record | FIFA World Cup record | FIFA World Cup record | FIFA World Cup record | FIFA World Cup record | FIFA World Cup record | FIFA World Cup record | FIFA World Cup record | Qualification record | Qualification record | Qualification record | Qualification record | Qualification 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 | Not a FIFA member | Not a FIFA member | Not a FIFA member | Not a FIFA member | Not a FIFA member | Not a FIFA member | Not a FIFA member | Not a FIFA member | Not a FIFA member | Not a FIFA member | Not a FIFA member | Not a FIFA member |
| 1982 | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Declined participation | Declined participation | Declined participation | Declined participation | Declined participation | Declined participation |
| 1986 | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Declined participation | Declined participation | Declined participation | Declined participation | Declined participation | Declined participation |
| 1990 | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew |
| 1994 | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Declined participation | Declined participation | Declined participation | Declined participation | Declined participation | Declined participation |
| 1998 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 5 |
| 2002 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 |
| 2006 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 12 | 2 | 3 | 7 | 10 | 17 |
| 2010 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 10 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 8 | 11 |
| 2014 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 8 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 13 |
| 2018 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 4 |
| 2022 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 8 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 12 | 9 |
| 2026 | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 1 |
| 2030 | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined |
| 2034 | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined |
| Total | | 0/11 | | | | | | | 48 | 10 | 11 | 27 | 44 | 64 |

### 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