Rwanda is a nation known for its resilience and progress and for its verdant mountainous beauty and its gorillas. It is probably fair to say that it is not known for its soccer. But truth be told, it boasts a football culture that reflects its spirit.

As Bafana Bafana prepare to face Rwanda in a World Cup qualifying game on Tuesday, you might be wondering about the state of football in the tiny African country. What is their league like? Who are their most famous players? How have they done in qualifying so far and how are they ranked globally. So many questions. And we are here to unpack them for you.

Local league and competitions: 

The Rwanda Premier League, also known as the Rwandan National Football League, is the top-flight football competition in the country. It serves as the battleground for local clubs, showcasing the nation’s footballing talent. Meanwhile their cup competition is the Peace Cup, a knockout event, that is the major highlight in the Rwandan football calendar. Clubs from different regions compete for supremacy, adding excitement and drama to the nation’s football scene.

APR FC – a dominant force:

APR FC (Armée Patriotique Rwandaise Football Club) has been a powerhouse in Rwandan football for many years. The club has consistently performed well in domestic competitions, contributing to the development and success of football in Rwanda.

Football for unity and reconciliation:

You don’t need a long memory to know that Rwanda was the scene of a horrible genocide little more than 25 years ago. Since then, the country has done a remarkable job of fostering unity and rebuilding their ravaged society. Football plays a crucial role in promoting unity and reconciliation in Rwanda. The sport is seen as a powerful tool for healing and bringing communities together after the nation’s challenging history.

Amahoro National Stadium – a hub of football:

Amahoro National Stadium, located in Kigali, is Rwanda’s national stadium and a focal point for football events. The stadium has hosted significant matches, including national team fixtures and key competitions. Interesting however, Tuesday’s game against Bafana Bafana will not be held there. South Africa’s finest will instead make the trip to Butare in the south of the country where they will play at Stade Huye, the 10,000-seater venue that is home to Mukura Victory Sports FC.

Rwandan Football Federation (FERWAFA):

The Rwanda Football Federation (FERWAFA) governs and oversees football activities in the country. FERWAFA plays a crucial role in organizing competitions, promoting the sport at various levels, and ensuring the overall development of football in Rwanda. Rwanda are currently ranked at a lowly 140th in the world. To put things into perspective, other teams in Group C are ranked as follows: Nigeria (40), South Africa (64), Benin (93), Zimbabwe (125), Lesotho (153).

How have Rwanda gone in qualifying?

Rwanda opened the Group C qualifying campaign when they hosted Zimbabwe on Wednesday 15 November. It wasn’t a bad outing with the game ending in a 0-0 draw. While Rwanda would have been hoping for three points at home, it was a strong Zimbabwe side which they managed to keep goalless – something that is reflected by the fact Zimbabwe went on to draw against Nigeria in their second game.

Key names and facts:

The reality is that Rwanda has produced very few notable footballers who have made their mark internationally. A player you may know is TS Galaxy keeper Fiacre Ntwari. Perhaps, somewhat awkwardly, Rwanda’s most notable achievement on the global football stage is their shirt sponsorship of Arsenal. Gunner’s shirts proudly bare the message – Visit Rwanda. By all accounts the deal has done well for tourism in the country.

Meanwhile, on the subject of names, The Rwandan national team are known as Amavubi – translated that means The Wasps. Here’s hoping their sting is not too severe.