Rwanda’s national football team, Amavubi, concluded their qualifying campaign in fifth place with 11 points, finishing just above Zimbabwe, who were bottom with five. The result left disappointment among fans and the country’s football leadership. FERWAFA President Shema Ngoga Fabrice admitted that the outcome was far from what the federation had hoped for, saying the results reflected the team’s level of preparation and performance. “We are not happy with the results, but performance always mirrors preparation. At some point, we were leading the group, but we failed to take our chances. Howe

Rwanda’s national football team, Amavubi, concluded their qualifying campaign in fifth place with 11 points, finishing just above Zimbabwe, who were bottom with five. The result left disappointment among fans and the country’s football leadership. FERWAFA President Shema Ngoga Fabrice admitted that the outcome was far from what the federation had hoped for, saying the results reflected the team’s level of preparation and performance. “We are not happy with the results, but performance always mirrors preparation. At some point, we were leading the group, but we failed to take our chances. However, we have learned important lessons about our players’ abilities, the quality of our training, and how we prepare for major competitions,” he said. Shema outlined a clear plan to focus on youth development as the foundation for Rwanda’s football future. “Our priority now is to invest in young players. We will select 50 of the best talents and work on improving their standards. From next season, every Premier League club will be required to include at least three players under the age of 20,” he explained. When asked about the future of national team coach Adel Amrouche, amid public calls for his dismissal, Shema chose his words carefully. “The coach has a valid contract, so any decision must respect those terms. We will take time to review the overall performance before making any conclusions,” he noted. Shema ended with an apology to Rwandans and a message of hope, asking for trust as FERWAFA works to rebuild the team. “When the national team loses, the whole country feels it. As FERWAFA, we sincerely apologize for not meeting our goals. But we ask for patience and another chance to correct our mistakes. Change takes time — give us two years, and you will begin to see real improvement. Success doesn’t happen overnight,” he concluded. His statement signals the beginning of a rebuilding era in Rwandan football one that prioritizes youth development, better preparation, and structural reform aimed at returning Amavubi to competitive form on the African stage.

FERWAFA President Shema Ngoga Fabrice

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