The President of Rwanda’s Football Federation (FERWAFA), Fabrice Shema Ngoga, has indicated that more new players are set to join the national team, Amavubi, following their impressive performance at the recent FIFA Series tournament in Kigali.
Speaking to Rwanda Broadcasting Agency, Shema Ngoga said the tournament has sparked fresh interest among Rwandan players based abroad, many of whom are now eager to represent the national team.
“Right after the competition ended, some players started reaching out, asking when the next opportunity will come so they can be part of the team,” he said.
He noted that ongoing reforms within Amavubi are beginning to pay off, stressing that Rwanda has long had talented players but lacked a clear system and direction to translate that potential into results.
Shema Ngoga also underscored his direct involvement in engaging families of diaspora players, saying the personal approach has helped build trust and encouraged more players to commit to the national team.
“I chose to personally reach out because it carries more weight. When a parent speaks to another parent—especially the federation president—there is mutual respect. I thank all the families who trusted us, even though a few cases did not materialize at the last minute,” he said.
With Rwanda now shifting focus to the Africa Cup of Nations 2027, preparations are underway to strengthen the squad, particularly by integrating more diaspora talent. The tournament will be jointly hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.
This strategy was already evident during the FIFA Series, where several new players were included and made an immediate impact. Among them, Leroy-Jacques Mickels stood out, scoring in the final as Amavubi defeated Estonia 2-0 and earning the tournament’s best player award.
