Amavubi Aim For Historic AFCON Return as Rwanda Builds for the Future
Rwanda’s only AFCON appearance came in 2004 in Tunisia, where the Amavubi earned praise for their competitive performances despite exiting at the group stage, writes Gazette's Annet Mugabo.
“Our mission is simple: we have to qualify. Qualification is the goal. The rest is what we do on the pitch and off the pitch to make sure we achieve it.”
—Bonnie Mugabe, FERWAFA Secretary General
Rwanda’s national football team faces one of its most significant tests in recent years as the Amavubi begin their quest to qualify for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), a tournament that will be hosted in East Africa for the first time.
The draw for the AFCON PAMOJA 2027 qualifiers placed Rwanda in Group K alongside Mali, Cape Verde and Liberia, presenting a difficult challenge for a team seeking to return to Africa’s biggest football tournament for only the second time in its history.
Rwanda’s only AFCON appearance came in 2004 in Tunisia, where the Amavubi earned praise for their competitive performances despite exiting at the group stage. More than two decades later, the country hopes to end its long absence from the continental showpiece.
For the Rwanda Football Federation (FERWAFA), qualification is not merely an ambition but a clear objective.
“Our mission is simple: we have to qualify,” FERWAFA Secretary General Bonnie Mugabe said in a recent interview. “Qualification is the goal. The rest is what we do on the pitch and off the pitch to make sure we achieve it.”
The federation believes the appointment of head coach Stephen Constantine is central to those ambitions.
Mugabe revealed that Constantine emerged from a recruitment process that attracted more than 600 candidates before being selected from a final shortlist of five coaches.
According to Mugabe, the decision was part of a broader strategy aimed at creating stability within the national team setup.
“If you don’t have stability, you won’t be able to build something sustainable,” he said.
The emphasis on long-term planning comes at a time when Rwandan football is attempting to strengthen its foundations.
Mugabe stressed that success at senior national team level must be supported by stronger grassroots development structures capable of producing future generations of players.
The Amavubi enter the qualification campaign with renewed confidence following several encouraging performances over the past year.
Priority
“You’ve got two top African countries in Cape Verde and Mali, and Liberia will also be difficult. Our priority is to win our home games and see what we can pick up away from home.”
—Constantine, Amavubi Coach
Rwanda won the FIFA Series tournament in Kigali after victories against Grenada and Estonia, becoming the first Rwandan national team to defeat European opposition.
Those results have helped create optimism around a squad that continues to evolve under Constantine’s leadership. However, the road to qualification will not be easy.
Mali are expected to be favourites in Group K, having consistently ranked among Africa’s strongest teams and reaching the quarter-finals of the last AFCON tournament.
Cape Verde, meanwhile, have emerged as one of the continent’s most organized and competitive sides, while Liberia remain capable of causing problems despite being considered outsiders.
Constantine has already acknowledged the challenge awaiting his team.
“You’ve got two top African countries in Cape Verde and Mali, and Liberia will also be difficult,” the coach said following the draw. “Our priority is to win our home games and see what we can pick up away from home.”
Standards
Beyond the national team’s immediate objectives, FERWAFA is also seeking to improve standards across domestic football.
Mugabe highlighted concerns about discipline and integrity within the game, pointing to incidents that have brought unwanted attention to local football.
He stressed that the federation would continue taking action against misconduct while working with other institutions to address broader challenges facing the sport.
“There are issues we cannot handle alone,” he said, citing the need for cooperation with law-enforcement agencies and international partners in combating match manipulation and protecting the integrity of football.
As preparations continue, Rwanda’s football authorities remain focused on ensuring the national team is competitive when qualification begins.
With East Africa preparing to host AFCON in 2027, the prospect of participating in a historic tournament on home soil has provided additional motivation for players, coaches and supporters alike.
For a country that has spent more than two decades waiting for another appearance on Africa’s biggest football stage, the upcoming campaign may represent its best opportunity yet to make history.
