The head coach of Rwanda’s U17 national football team, Habimana Sosthène, has said that the players called up from abroad are of high quality, giving the team great confidence ahead of the upcoming CECAFA U17 Championship.
The players called up to prepare for the tournament, which will take place in Ethiopia from November 15 to December 2, 2025, are currently training intensively at Stade Amahoro.
This will be Rwanda’s return to the CECAFA U17 competition after withdrawing last year when the Ministry of Sports declined to fund the team, citing a lack of adequate preparation and training.
This time, to correct past mistakes, the technical team called up players early, including those playing abroad, to strengthen the squad and ensure Amavubi U17 will not struggle during the tournament.
The foreign-based players include Judah Fisher (Sacramento Republic, USA), Lanny Mukiza (CS LaSalle, Canada), Joseph Musabyimana (RFC Seraing, Belgium), Enzo Bagabo (RWDM, Belgium), and Jayden Heylen Shema (KV Mechelen, Belgium).
Coach Habimana Sosthène praised these players, saying their level of performance complements that of local players, which increases the team’s chances of performing well in the championship.
He said, “We have assessed every player’s condition and performance. I believe we are now united as one group, and we won’t have to repeat instructions anymore.”
“The players from abroad are clearly active and experienced, but our local players are also talented. These five young men will strengthen our squad and help us deliver positive results. We are preparing more matches and will put in all our effort to perform well in the CECAFA U17.”
Rwanda’s U17 team is placed in Group A, alongside Ethiopia, Somalia, Kenya, and South Sudan. The top three teams from the CECAFA U17 Championship will qualify for the Africa U17 Cup of Nations, which will be held in Morocco
