Rwanda
Shirt badge/Association crest
Nickname(s)She-Amavubi
(The She-Wasps)
AssociationRwandese Association Football Federation
ConfederationCAF (Africa)
Sub-confederationCECAFA (East & Central Africa)
Head coachRwandaSosthenes Habimana
CaptainGloria Nibagwire
Top scorerAlice Niyoyita
Jeanne Nyirahatashima
Clementine Mukamana (1)
Home stadiumStade Régional Nyamirambo
FIFA codeRWA
First colours
FIFA ranking
Current 167 Decrease 2 (15 December 2023)[1]
Highest105 (December 2017)
Lowest167 (December 2023)
First international
 Rwanda 1–0 Kenya 
(Kigali, Rwanda; 16 February 2014)
Biggest win
 Rwanda 2–0 Djibouti 
(Njeru, Uganda; 5 June 2022)
Biggest defeat
 Nigeria 8–0 Rwanda Rwanda
(Kaduna, Nigeria; 7 June 2014)

The Rwanda women's national football team represents Rwanda in women's association football and is controlled by the Rwandese Association Football Federation. It had to date been scheduled to compete in one major tournament, the inaugural Women's Challenge Cup held in Zanzibar in October 2007, but the event was ultimately canceled. It has finally debuted in February 2014 against Kenya. The team is nicknamed The She-Amavubi (Kinyarwanda for The She-Wasps).

History

Background

The development of women's football in Africa faces several challenges, including limited access to education, poverty amongst women in the wider society, and fundamental inequality present in that society that occasionally allows for female-specific human rights abuses.[2] At the same time, if talented women footballers do emerge, many choose to go abroad to maximize playing opportunities.[3] A lack of funding impedes regional development of women's football as most of the funding for the women's national team comes from FIFA, not the national football association.[3]

Inside Rwanda, the first women's football programme was developed in 2000. "Kicking for Reconciliation" was created during the late 2000s, and involved over 100 young players in an attempt at "bringing healing to a nation that saw the worst genocide since World War II" through sport. The programme was open to both Tutsis and Hutus.[4] By 2008, this included a schools and university competition.[5] Women's football was supported by a single dedicated national federation staffer by 2006. Women's sport, including football, received little press coverage in the Rwandan media.[6] A women's football league was founded in 2008, and the country is the only one in the region with a viable league, but it still faces challenges related to funding for teams, with most of its funding coming from FIFA.[7] Grace Nyinawumuntu became the first female referee at the senior level in Rwanda in 2004, and went on to become the first woman to coach a professional team in the country in 2009. Her professional women's side went on to win the league championship under her leadership.[8] The lack of high-level football opportunities in Uganda led to some players going from there to Rwanda for opportunities to play in the country's professional league.[9]

International training related to women is limited in Rwanda. Between 1991 and 2010, there was no FIFA FUTURO III regional course for women's coaching, no women's football seminar held in the country, and no FIFA MA course held for women and youth football.[5] Internationally, in 2007, a representative from the country attended a FIFA sponsored women's football symposium in China.[10] Felicite Rwemarika is the head of women's football in the country.[7] She is credited with developing the sport in the country by founding the Association of Kigali Women in Football amongst other things.[11]

Canceled 2007 participation

The inaugural Council for East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA) Women's Challenge Cup was supposed to be held in Zanzibar in October 2007,[12] an event Rwanda was planning to send a national team to compete in,[6] but the competition was ultimately canceled.[13] The competition was to be funded by Confederation of African Football. The Council of East and Central Africa Football Associations secretary, Nicholas Musonye said of the event, "CAF wants to develop women football in this region in recognition of the milestones CECAFA has achieved over the years. CAF appreciates what CECAFA has done despite the hardships the association has gone through, from financial problems to political instability in member states and poor management of associations. Member states in the CECAFA region have not taken women's football seriously. CAF now wants to sponsor a long-term campaign to attract women from this region into the game."[13][14]

Home stadium

The Rwanda women's national football team plays their home matches on the Nyamirambo Regional Stadium.

Senior national team

While the Rwanda women's national under-20 football team existed and played in matches by 2009 for the 2010 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup African qualifiers,[15][9][16] the senior national team was not competing in matches during the 2010s.[17][5] There was no senior team competing in the 2010 African Women's Championships during the preliminary rounds[18] or the 2011 All Africa Games.[19] In March 2012, the team was not ranked in the world by FIFA[20] and a senior national team still did not exist.[21] However, a senior national team played its first official match on 16 February 2014.

She-Amavubi debuted on 16 January 2014, in the 2014 African Women's Championship first qualification round, against Kenya in the Stade Régional Nyamirambo in Kigali. They won 1–0 from a goal scored by Alice Niyoyita at the 29th minute in the first leg. In the second leg in Kenyatta Stadium, Machakos, Kenya they lost 2–1 with the solitary goal scored by Jeanne Nyirahatashima. Rwanda qualified for the second round by the away goals rule after finishing 2–2 on aggregate and played against Nigeria. Their third official match was disputed on 13 May 2014 against Zambia and ended in a 3–0 loss, making it the third loss of their record. They disputed the 2014 African Women's Championship second qualification round with Nigeria on 24 May 2014, losing 4–1. The goal was scored by Clementine Mukamana at the 53rd minute. In the second leg, again competing against Nigeria on 7 June 2014, the She-Amavubi lost by a crushing 8–0 defeat, leaving them out of the 2014 African Women's Championship by a 12–1 aggregate score.

Gloria Nibagwire became the first captain of She-Amavubi.[22][23]

Rwanda competed at the 2016 CECAFA Women's Championship, losing both games by a 3–2 scoreline, to Tanzania and Ethiopia.

The Rwandan federation hosted the 2018 CECAFA Women's Championship. The Nyamirambo Regional Stadium held all 10 of the games in the round robin tournament. Rwanda beat Tanzania (the eventual champions) 1–0 but finished last on 4 points from their 4 games.[24]

Rwanda's women national football – the 'She-Wasps' eliminated Kenya in the first round of the 2014 African Women's Championship (AWC).[25]

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.

Legend

  Win   Draw   Lose   Fixture

2023

12 July 2023 (2023-07-12) 2024 Olympic qualifying Uganda  3–3  Rwanda Kigal, Rwanda
  • Nyanagahirwa 45'
  • Nassuna 54'
  • Ikwaput 84'
  • Mukhirwa 32'
  • Nibagwire 66'
  • Usanase 86'
 Stadium: Kigali Pelé Stadium
16 July 2023 (2023-07-16) 2024 Olympic qualifying Rwanda  0–1 (a.e.t.)
(3–4 agg.)		  Uganda Kigali, Rwanda
Note: Uganda won 4–3 on aggregate.
15 September 2023 (2023-09-15) Friendly Rwanda  0–1  Burundi Nyamata, Rwanda
15:00 UTC+2
Stadium: Bugesera stadium
16 September 2023 (2023-09-16) Friendly Rwanda  1–1  Burundi Kigali, Rwanda
19:00 UTC+2
  • Uwase 28'
  • Zilfa 55'
 Stadium: Kigali Pelé Stadium
20 September 2023 (2023-09-20) 2024 AFWCON qualification First round 1st leg Rwanda  0–7  Ghana Kigali, Rwanda
15:00 UTC+2 Report
Stadium: Kigali Pelé Stadium
26 September 2023 (2023-09-26) 2024 AFWCON qualification First round 2nd leg Ghana  5–0
(12–0 agg.)		  Rwanda Accra, Ghana
16:00 UTC±0
Report (GFA) Stadium: Accra Sports Stadium
Referee: Jacqueline Nikiema (Burkina Faso)
Note: Ghana won 12–0 on aggregate.

Record per opponent

Key
  Positive balance (more wins than losses)
  Neutral balance (as many wins as losses)
  Negative balance (more losses than wins)

The following table shows Rwanda' all-time official international record per opponent:

Opponent Pld W D L GF GA GD W% Confederation
 Burundi100112−100.00CAF
 Djibouti1100202100.00CAF
 Ethiopia200226−400.00CAF
 Kenya310224−233.33CAF
 Nigeria2002112−1100.00CAF
 Tanzania210133050.00CAF
 Uganda201124−200.00CAF
 Zambia100103−300.00CAF
Total1431101334-2121.43—

Coaching staff

Current coaching staff

As of 21 May 2022
Position Name
Head coachRwanda Sosthenes Habimana
Technical Director
Assistant coach Shabani Mbarushimana
Consolee Mukashema
Goalkeeping Coach Claude Maniraguha
Physical coach Jennifer Ujeneza
Solange Niyigena
Team Manager

Manager history

Name Period
Rwanda Grace Nyinawumuntu 2014–2017[26][27]
Rwanda Jean Baptiste Kayiranga 2018–2020[28]
Rwanda Sosthenes Habimana 2022–present

Players

Current squad

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Club
1GK Elisabeth Mutuyimana Rwanda APAER WFC
1GK Angeline Ndakimana Rwanda As Kigali
1GK Diane Uwamahoro Rwanda As Kigali
2DF Djamila Abimana Rwanda Kamony
2DF Joselyne Mukantaganira Rwanda Rayon Sport WFC
2DF Lydia Uzayisenga Rwanda APAER WFC
2DF Safi Uwanyirigira Rwanda Rayon Sport WFC
2DF Louise Maniraguha Rwanda AS Kigali
2DF Androsene Uwase (1995-11-28) 28 November 1995 Rwanda Rayon Sport WFC
2DF Providence Mukahirwe Rwanda Fatima WFC
2DF Gorette Niyonkuru Rwanda
3MF Dorothee Mukeshimana Rwanda Rayon Sport WFC
3MF Diane Nyirandagijimana Rwanda
3MF Dudja Umwari Rwanda FAtima WFC
3MF Leoncie Tugeriwacu Rwanda Inyemera WFC
3MF Emerance Niyonshuti Rwanda KomaniWFC
3MF Gloria Nibagwire (captain) (1982-08-14) 14 August 1982 Rwanda AS Kigali
3MF Alodia Kayitesi (1996-11-28) 28 November 1996 Rwanda AS Kigali
3MF Angelique Umuhoza Rwanda Rayon Sport WFC
3MF Martha Nyiramwiza Rwanda
4FW Folrence Imanizabayo Rwanda Rayon Sport WFC
4FW Zawadi Usanase Rwanda
4FW Delphine Irumya Rwanda Fatima WFC
4FW Liberathe Nibagwire Rwanda
4FW Evelyne Ishimwe Rwanda

Recent call-ups

The following players have been called up to a Rwanda squad in the past 12 months.

Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club Latest call-up
MF Illuminate nzayituriki - - Rwanda FAtima WFC 2024 CAF Women's Olympic qualifying tournament
MF Zawadi Usanase (2002-11-28) 28 November 2002 - - Rwanda AS Kigali 2024 CAF Women's Olympic qualifying tournament
MF Yvonne Umuhoza - - Rwanda Kamonyi WFC 2024 CAF Women's Olympic qualifying tournament
MF Alice Kalimba (1995-11-01) 1 November 1995 - - Rwanda Rayon Sport WFC 2024 CAF Women's Olympic qualifying tournament
FW Yvonne Dukuzumuremyi - - Rwanda Bugesera WFC 2024 CAF Women's Olympic qualifying tournament
FW Uberathe Nibagwire (2002-11-28) 28 November 2002 - - Rwanda AS Kigali 2024 CAF Women's Olympic qualifying tournament

INJ Player withdrew from the squad due to an injury.
PRE Preliminary squad.
SUS Player is serving a suspension.
WD Player withdrew for personal reasons.

Previous squads

CECAFA Women's Championship

Records

  • Active players in bold, statistics correct as of 2020.

Competitive record

FIFA Women's World Cup

FIFA Women's World Cup record
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GS GA
China 1991did not enter
Sweden 1995
United States 1999
United States 2003
China 2007
Germany 2011
Canada 2015did not qualify
France 2019did not enter
AustraliaNew Zealand 2023Withdrew
Appearances 0/9 – – – – – – –

Olympic Games

Summer Olympics record
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GS GA
United States 1996did not enter
Australia 2000
Greece 2004
China 2008
United Kingdom 2012
Brazil 2016
Japan 2020
France 2024to be determined
United States 2028
Appearances 0/7 – – – – – – –

Africa Women Cup of Nations

Africa Women Cup of Nations record
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GS GA
1991did not enter
1995
Nigeria 1998
South Africa 2000
Nigeria 2002
South Africa 2004
Nigeria 2006
Equatorial Guinea 2008
South Africa 2010
Equatorial Guinea 2012
Namibia 2014did not qualify
Cameroon 2016did not enter
Ghana 2018
2020did not enter, tournament was later canceled
Morocco 2022Withdrew
Appearances 0/14 – – – – – – –

African Games

African Games record
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GS GA
Nigeria 2003did not enter
Algeria 2007
Mozambique 2011
Republic of the Congo 2015
Morocco 2019
Ghana 2023to be determined
Appearances 0/5 – – – – – – –

CECAFA Women's Championship

CECAFA Women's Championship record
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GS GA
Zanzibar 1986did not enter
Uganda 2016Group Stage6th200246
Rwanda 20185th411237
Tanzania 2019did not enter
Djibouti 2021did not enter, tournament was later canceled
Uganda 2022Group Stage5th310234
Appearances Group Stage 5th 9 2 1 6 10 17

See also

References

  1. ↑ "The FIFA/Coca-Cola Women's World Ranking". FIFA. 15 December 2023. Retrieved 15 December 2023.
  2. ↑ Jean Williams (2007). A Beautiful Game: International Perspectives on Women's Football. Berg. p. 186. ISBN 978-1-84520-674-1.
  3. 1 2 Gabriel Kuhn (2011). Soccer Vs. the State: Tackling Football and Radical Politics. PM Press. p. 34. ISBN 978-1-60486-053-5.
  4. ↑ Sharma, Kalpana (11 July 2010). "The Hindu (English): Just let them play". The Hindu. Chennai, India.
  5. 1 2 3 "Goal! Football: Rwanda" (PDF). FIFA. 25 November 2008. p. 4. Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 July 2012. Retrieved 16 April 2012.
  6. 1 2 Huggins, Allison; Randell, Shirley (2007). "The Contribution of Sports to Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment1" (PDF). International Conference on Gender Equity on Sports for Social Change, Kigali, 2007. Archived from the original (PDF) on 26 June 2011.
  7. 1 2 "Lack of funds holding back women's football league". Rwanda: The Chronicles. 28 February 2012. Archived from the original on 22 February 2013.
  8. ↑ "Rwanda's First Female Professional Football Coach Defies Gender Stereotypes, Inspires Players". Global Press Institute. Archived from the original on 11 May 2012. Retrieved 17 April 2012.
  9. 1 2 Vianney, John (19 January 2012). "Uganda: A Case for Women's Football". allAfrica.com.
  10. ↑ "Rwanda: FA to Attend FIFA Women's Football Symposium". 27 September 2007.
  11. ↑ "Gender mainstreaming versus gender specific strategies" (PDF). Retrieved 18 April 2012.
  12. ↑ Bugingo, Douglas (29 August 2007). "AAGM: Investment in Youth Soccer Reaping Rewards – Mulindwa". The Monitor. Kampala, Uganda.
  13. 1 2 Olita, Reuben (27 September 2007). "Cecafa Puts Off Women Tourney". New Vision. Uganda.
  14. ↑ "AAGM: CAF to Fund Regional Women's Championships". The Nation. Nairobi, Kenya. 4 January 2007.
  15. ↑ "African Women U-20 World Cup 2010 Qualifying". Rsssf.com. Retrieved 13 April 2012.
  16. ↑ Kigongo, Ismail D. (13 January 2012). "After DR Congo, Women Need More". The Monitor. Kampala, Uganda.
  17. ↑ "Rwanda: Fixtures and Results". FIFA. Archived from the original on 21 June 2011. Retrieved 11 June 2012.
  18. ↑ "Fixtures – African Women Championship 2010". CAF. Archived from the original on 14 April 2012. Retrieved 13 April 2012.
  19. ↑ "Groups & standings – All Africa Games women 2011". CAF. Archived from the original on 10 May 2012. Retrieved 13 April 2012.
  20. ↑ "The FIFA Women's World Ranking". Switzerland: FIFA. 25 September 2009. Archived from the original on 8 October 2011.
  21. ↑ "Tanzania yapaa viwango FIFA" (in Swahili). New Habari. 4 June 2012. Archived from the original on 8 March 2022. Nchi nyingine za CECAFA ambazo ni Rwanda, Burundi, Djibouti, Somalia na Sudan hazina soka la wanawake la ushindani kiasi ya kuwa na timu ya taifa.
  22. ↑ "In Rwanda, Gloria Nibagwire Finds Healing After Genocide Through Soccer". alokapapaduria.com. 30 July 2017.
  23. ↑ "Meet Rwanda's women national football team – the 'She-Wasps'". newtimes.co.rw. 8 March 2014.
  24. ↑ "Tanzania retain regional Cecafa Women's Challenge Cup". BBC Sport. 27 July 2018. Retrieved 25 May 2020.
  25. ↑ Umutesi, Doreen (8 March 2014). "Meet Rwanda's women national football team – the 'She-Wasps'". The New Times. Retrieved 16 March 2022.
  26. ↑ "Nyinawumuntu appointed as head coach for national women's team | the Rwanda Focus". Archived from the original on 20 January 2014. Retrieved 20 January 2014.
  27. ↑ Atieno, Lydia (11 February 2021). "Women in football: Grace Nyinawumuntu speaks out on her 2017 downfall, newpath". The New Times. Retrieved 2 September 2021.
  28. ↑ Sikubwabo, Damas (4 April 2018). "Kayiranga appointed women national team head coach". The New Times. Retrieved 2 September 2021.
  29. ↑ "rwanda-women-national-team-name-final-squad—of-the-WAFCON 2024 1st tourement qualifying tournament". twitter.com. Retrieved 2 September 2023.
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