The President of the Rwanda Football Federation (FERWAFA), Fabrice Shema Ngoga, has revealed that more new players are expected to be called up to the national team, Amavubi, following the country’s strong performance in the recent FIFA Series held in Kigali.
Speaking in an interview with Rwanda Broadcasting Agency (RBA), Shema Ngoga said the tournament sparked increased interest among Rwandan players based abroad, many of whom have reached out expressing their desire to represent the national team.
“Since the tournament ended, some players have been calling me asking when the next opportunity will come so they can join others and contribute,” he said.
He noted that ongoing reforms within Amavubi are beginning to yield results, stressing that Rwanda has always had talented players, but lacked a clear structure and consistent strategy to translate that talent into success.
Shema Ngoga also highlighted his personal involvement in reaching out to players’ families, explaining that direct communication at his level helps build trust and confidence.
“It is a personal initiative I took on. When a parent speaks to another parent who is also the federation president, there is a level of respect and assurance it brings. I thank all the parents who accepted our request, even though a few cases did not work out at the last minute,” he explained.
Following Rwanda’s victory in the FIFA Series, the team has now set its sights on qualifying for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which will be jointly hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.
Preparations for the tournament are already underway, with a strong focus on integrating more diaspora players to strengthen the squad.
This strategy was evident in the recent FIFA Series squad, which included several new call-ups such as Hugo Bigirimana, who plays for La Chaux-de-Fonds in Switzerland, and Steven Kalisa of FC Etzella Ettelbruck in Luxembourg.
Other additions included players of Rwandan origin based in Azerbaijan, who also played a key role in helping Rwanda win the tournament. Leroy-Jacques Mickels notably scored in the final match where Amavubi defeated Estonia 2-0 and was named the best player of the tournament.
