Rwanda’s U17 national team is facing mounting pressure after a difficult start in the U17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON U17) CECAFA qualifiers in Ethiopia, where they have suffered three consecutive losses.
The team travelled on 10 November 2025 with a 24-man squad led by head coach Sosthene Habimana and his technical staff: assistant coaches Alain Kirasa and Dieudonné Muyenzi, goalkeeping coach Peacemaker Habimana, and fitness coach Peter Kagabo. Rwanda was drawn in Group A alongside hosts Ethiopia, Somalia, Kenya, and South Sudan.
Despite having extended training sessions before departure and playing several local friendly matches, the Young Amavubi have struggled to convert preparation into results on the continental stage.
Rwanda opened its campaign with a 2–0 defeat to Ethiopia, followed by a narrow 2–1 loss to Kenya. Hopes of recovery slipped further after Somalia outclassed Rwanda 3–0, ending the team’s chances of qualifying even before their final match against South Sudan.
The string of defeats has sparked renewed debate among fans about the long-term future of the national team pipeline. Newly elected FERWAFA president Fabrice Shema urged the players to show resilience and discipline before they departed for Ethiopia, but questions remain about what is missing in Rwanda’s youth development system.
Beyond the on-field setbacks, FERWAFA says it is committed to strengthening grassroots football. The federation has been increasing investment in youth academies and regional centres, aiming to build a stronger foundation for players expected to feed into the senior Amavubi squad in the coming years.
