Coach Adel Amrouche names 27-man provisional roster for Nigeria, Zimbabwe outings

...More than half of the players, ply their trade in the domestic league 
By Maxwell Kumoye and Mishael Emmanuel 
 
 
 
The head coach of Rwanda's male national football team, Adel Amrouche, has named a 27-man roster for the World Cup Qualifying matches against the Super Eagles of Nigeria and Warriors of Zimbabwe.
 
Zira Futbol Klubu’s defender Ange Mutsinzi and Esperance Sportif de Zarzis striker Innocent Nshuti — both of whom scored against Nigeria in the AFCON qualifiers last November when Rwanda stunned the Super Eagles with a 2-1 victory in Uyo made the cut.

The provisional roster include three goalkeepers, led by Kaizer Chiefs’ reliable shot-stopper Ntwari Fiacre, alongside nine defenders, six midfielders, and nine forwards.

Adel Amrouche again dropped Police FC forward Lague Byiringiro from his 27-man squad for the upcoming two World Cup 2026 qualifiers against Nigeria and Zimbabwe. 

Byiringiro has been showing signs of regaining form during the recently-concluded Inkera y’Abahizi tournament hosted by APR FC. 

He was, however, snubbed from the squad alongside the likes of APR FC defender Clement Niyigena Hakim Sahabo, who plays for Standard de Liège in the Belgian First Division and RAAL La Louvière midfielder Samuel Gueulette.

Instead, the Belgian coach handed debut callups to seven players including:
• Alex Nduwayo - APR
• Emmanuel Nshimiyimana - Rayon Sports
• Claude Smith Kayitaba - Bedford Town
• Christian Mukudju - Elite Football Club
• Aly Enzo Hamon - Angouleme CFC
• Djabilu Ishimwe - Etincelles
• David Niyo - SC Kiyovu

Coach Adel Amrouche’s side will visit Nigeria on September 6 at Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, before travelling to Johannesburg to take on Zimbabwe on September 9 at Orlando Stadium.

Rwanda will approach the upcoming tie with belief, having avoided defeat in two of their last three meetings with Nigeria. They played out a goalless draw in Kigali during the first leg of the 2025 AFCON qualifiers before pulling off the memorable 2-1 win in Uyo.

Rwanda currently sits second in the qualifying group with eight points from six matches, one point ahead of fourth-placed Nigeria.

PRELIMINARY SQUAD:

GOALKEEPERS:

✓ Fiacre Ntwali - Kaizer Chiefs
✓ Clement Buhake - Ull/Kisa
✓ Pierre Ishimwe - APR

DEFENDERS:

✓ Alex Nduwayo - APR
✓ Claude Niyomugabo - APR
✓ Fitina Ombalenga - APR
✓ Emmanuel Nshimiyimana - Rayon Sports
✓ Ange Mutsinzi - Zira Futubul Clubu
✓ Darrly Nganji Nkurikiyimana - Standard de Liege
✓ Thierry Manzi - Al Ahly Tripoli
✓ Phanuel Kavita Mabaya - Birmingham

MIDFIELDERS:

✓ Djihadi Bizimana - Al Ahly Tripoli
✓ Bonheur Mugisha - AL Masry
✓ Bryan Clovis Ngwabije - Dieppe FC
✓ Claude Smith Kayitaba - Bedford Town
✓ Kevin Muhire - Jamus
✓ Christian Mukudju - Elite Football Club

FORWARDS:

✓ Gilbert Mugisha - APR
✓ Aly Enzo Hamon - Angouleme CFC
✓ Anicet Ishimwe - Olympique Beja
✓ Arthur Gitego - FUS Rabat
✓ Jojea Kwizera - Rhode Island
✓ Innocent Nshuti - ES Zarzis
✓ Abeddy Biramahire - ES Setif
✓ Djabilu Ishimwe - Etincelles
✓ David Niyo - SC Kiyovu

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