British coach Stephen Constantine, who previously managed Rwanda’s national team from 2014 to 2015, has been appointed as the new head coach of the senior national team, Amavubi, as well as the under-23 squad, for the next two years.
On Thursday afternoon, March 12, 2026, the Rwanda Football Federation (FERWAFA) officially announced Constantine’s appointment. His contract is set for two years and may be extended depending on performance.
The 63-year-old coach is expected to assume his duties on Monday, March 16, 2026, starting with player selection for the upcoming FIFA Series matches, scheduled to take place in Kigali from March 23 to 31, 2026.
Constantine returns to Amavubi after 11 years
On January 15, 2015, Constantine left Rwanda after a year-long tenure with Amavubi to take up a role coaching various teams in India. At the time, he earned $12,000 per month in Rwanda, moving to a $30,000 monthly salary in India.
Over the next three years, Constantine built his coaching career in India, culminating in 2018 when he led the Indian national team to qualify for the 2019 AFC Asian Cup. In January 2019, he resigned following India’s group-stage exit, praising his players for their efforts to reach the tournament.
After leaving India, Constantine also coached Pakistan and club teams including Pafos FC and East Bengal FC.
Back to familiar ground
Constantine returns to Rwanda, a team he once guided to its highest FIFA ranking—64th—in 2014-2015. During his previous tenure, he came close to securing Rwanda’s qualification for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations, but Amavubi were disqualified due to a CAF ruling over the ineligibility of striker Etekiama Agiti Taddy (known as Birori Daddy), who held dual citizenship of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
His return is seen as an opportunity to rebuild the team and bring Amavubi back to continental and global competitiveness.
